The glitz, glamour, and sequins are ready to return as the 23rd series of Strictly Come Dancing prepares to light up British television screens this autumn. Among the 15 new contestants, perhaps none has generated as much buzz as Dani Dyer, the 29-year-old former Love Island winner and daughter of actor Danny Dyer. With the new season launching on Saturday, September 20, 2025, fans and bookmakers alike are eager to see how the reality star and mother-of-three will fare in one of the UK’s most beloved—and, at times, controversial—competition shows.
Dani Dyer’s journey to the Strictly ballroom is already a story in itself. Fresh off her wedding to West Ham captain and England footballer Jarrod Bowen in May 2025, Dani is embracing her latest challenge with both excitement and understandable nerves. As reported by BBC and Metro, she and Bowen—who started dating in 2021—share two-year-old twin daughters, Summer and Star. Dani is also mum to four-year-old Santiago, her son from a previous relationship with Sammy Kimmence.
Despite the show’s notorious “Strictly curse”—a term coined for the surprising number of contestants who have seen their relationships falter during or after their time on the show—Dani is, by all accounts, unfazed. “I’m newly married and we’re so good, know what I mean?” she told the Daily Mail. She even joked about her husband’s likely discomfort with being caught on camera in the audience: “He’s such a shy person, Jarrod, so when he gets there and they put the camera on him…”
It’s not just her husband who will be nervously watching from the stands. Dani’s father, the ever-charismatic Danny Dyer, is a self-confessed fan of the show. According to Metro, he has previously attended live tapings to support Rose Ayling-Ellis, who played his on-screen daughter in EastEnders. Dani revealed, “He’s like, ‘I’ve gotta keep it together when I’m watching.’ He loves to dance himself really. I need to get him up dancing.” Though Danny has been asked to compete on Strictly multiple times, he’s consistently declined, quipping to The Sun, “I get offered to do Strictly every year, and it’s not for me. I’ve got no desire to be mincing around in sequins.” Still, with his daughter now in the spotlight, some wonder if he might finally be tempted to take to the dancefloor himself.
For Dani, the allure of Strictly is multifaceted. The chance to “glam up to the max” every Saturday is a major draw, especially after years spent deep in the throes of motherhood. “I can’t wait to feel a bit sexy,” she told Metro. “I’ve been a mum, you know what I mean, I’ve been so deep in motherhood… My eldest is four now and the sexy thing, I’m like, am I sexy?” She added, “When I was on Love Island, I never wore the thong bikinis. I’m like, ‘Dan, why didn’t I do that?’”
It’s been seven years since Dani won Love Island in 2018, a victory that not only brought her fame but also a share of ITV’s £50,000 cash prize. Since then, she’s built a career as a podcaster and influencer, but she’s quick to acknowledge that Strictly is the biggest show she’s tackled since her reality TV breakthrough. “That was seven years ago,” she said. “So this, for me, is massive. I’m just gonna try and pretend it’s not live and enjoy it as much as possible.”
Dani is not alone in feeling the pressure. At the annual Strictly press event, contestants from all walks of life—actors, athletes, reality stars, and influencers—spoke candidly about their nerves and excitement. Vicky Pattison, a fellow reality TV alum, admitted to being “scared, a little bit overwhelmed,” while social media star George Clarke confessed, “I don’t really get nervous until it’s just about to happen, which is nice, until it’s just about to happen! Nice build-up and then a breakdown in the dressing room!”
For some, the show is a chance to break free from the public’s perception of their on-screen personas. EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, for instance, sees it as an opportunity to show who she is at heart, beyond her character’s infamous reputation. Meanwhile, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink joked about his wife’s indifference to the so-called curse, saying, “Take him, take the old fart, take him!”
As for Dani, she’s clear that the “Strictly curse” is the least of her worries. “I’ve only just got married earlier this year,” she told BBC, brushing off any suggestion that her relationship might be at risk. The sentiment is echoed by other contestants, who seem far more preoccupied with mastering the cha-cha than with tabloid speculation.
The upcoming series kicks off with a pre-recorded launch programme, where celebrities will be paired with their professional dance partners. The first live show follows a week later, promising the usual mix of nerves, sparkle, and the occasional misstep. Dani will be competing against a diverse lineup, including ER’s Alex Kingston, reality star Vicky Pattison, football pundit Karen Carney, and many others.
Behind the scenes, producers are eager for the focus to return to the dancing after a turbulent year that saw controversies involving some professional dancers and an investigation into alleged drug use by former stars. With the cast’s infectious enthusiasm and a fresh batch of celebrities ready to be “Strictified,” there’s hope that the 23rd series will restore the show’s reputation for family-friendly fun and Saturday night escapism.
As the countdown to the glittering launch continues, Dani Dyer’s journey stands out as a testament to reinvention and resilience. From reality TV winner to mother of three, and now a newlywed ready to conquer the dancefloor, she embodies the spirit of transformation that Strictly celebrates every year. Whether she lifts the glitterball trophy or not, Dani’s willingness to embrace the challenge—nerves and all—ensures she’ll have plenty of supporters cheering her on, both in the studio and at home.
The curtain rises on a new season, and with it, a new chapter for Dani Dyer—a star who’s not just dancing, but daring to rediscover herself in front of millions.
