As autumn settles in and the evenings grow longer, one of Britain's most beloved TV traditions is set to return: Strictly Come Dancing launches its 23rd series on Saturday, September 20, 2025. With a fresh cast of 15 celebrities, this year’s lineup promises a mix of glamour, nerves, and the sort of behind-the-scenes drama that has kept audiences captivated for over two decades. Yet, as the glitterball prepares to spin once more, the show enters its new season under the shadow of recent controversies, with BBC bosses eager to shift the spotlight firmly back onto the dancefloor.
The press gathered at a lively event ahead of the launch, eager to meet the new contestants—though not everyone made an appearance. Among the most talked-about stars is Dani Dyer, the former Love Island winner and daughter of actor Danny Dyer. Fresh from her May wedding to West Ham and England footballer Jarrod Bowen, Dani was candid about her anticipation and anxieties. "I'm newly married and we're so good, know what I mean?" she told the Daily Mail with a laugh, brushing off any fears about the infamous 'Strictly curse' that has seen past contestants’ relationships falter amid the show's intense rehearsals and close partnerships.
Dani’s confidence seems well-founded, with her family’s full support. Her father, Danny Dyer, is reportedly thrilled. "Dad loves him—he adores him," Dani said of her husband, adding, "And I'm newly married, like we literally got married in May! So we're very much in love. Yeah, he can chill." She revealed that both her parents plan to attend the launch show together, making it a rare date day. "Because no one goes home that week, so it’s all right—you can come that week!" she joked.
For Dani, who shares two-year-old twin daughters, Star and Summer, with Bowen, as well as a four-year-old son, Santiago, from a previous relationship, the chance to rediscover a sense of glamour is a major draw. "I've been a mum, you know what I mean, I've been so deep in motherhood," she said, reflecting on her eldest now being four. "The sexy thing, I'm like, am I sexy?" she added with a giggle, looking forward to the show’s famously extravagant costumes. "I can't wait to feel a bit sexy on the show after spending the last few years focusing on bringing up my young children."
Despite her nerves—she described herself as "absolutely nervous" and confessed to being overwhelmed by the scale of the show—Dani is determined to enjoy the experience. "For me, this is massive and I'm just going to try and pretend it's not live and enjoy it as much as possible," she explained. Her strategy is to take things week by week: "Whenever I do something, I just want to take it week by week, so hopefully I'll be through to the next week. I just want to do the best that I can." She compared the atmosphere to a musical: "It's like everything I thought and more! I said, it's like High School Musical."
Dani is not the only contestant bringing a strong sense of self-awareness and humor to the competition. La Voix, the first drag star to join the main series, arrived at the press event in full regalia, declaring, "I want the full Strictly experience. They're going to take it to the next level. The glamour is wonderful, I feel like I'm living my dream. I don't want to do the dancing, just the dressing up bit!"
Other celebrities are facing their own challenges. Former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison has been open about her struggles with anxiety, recently returning to therapy to cope with Strictly nerves. "Everyone's handling me with kid gloves at the moment, I keep getting loads of cuddles off everyone. I'm scared, a little bit overwhelmed. I think it's because I've wanted to do this show for so long, I'm a big fan. I'm desperate to make the most of it... but I'm worried I'll get in my own head," she shared. Advice from friends and former contestants is helping her steady her nerves.
Model and actress Ellie Goldstein, the first contestant with Down's Syndrome to participate, is both excited and competitive: "I'm so competitive, I want to win!" Social media star George Clarke, meanwhile, joked that nerves haven’t hit him—yet. "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!"
Sports stars are also well represented. Former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw admitted, "If I'm honest, that was the biggest hesitation. But since retiring, you need things to challenge yourself, and you can get pretty comfortable in life. For me, dancing is exactly that. It's live TV, doing a skill that I haven't done before—it's challenging myself. But look, I'm all in. I want to do the amount of training we have to do and all the other bits that go with it. And I'm looking forward to it."
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known as Nitro from Gladiators, brings some previous experience from last year's Strictly Christmas special. He’s motivated not just by personal achievement but by his daughter’s enthusiasm: "She absolutely loves the show and anything that I do. I'm really doing it for her." Karen Carney, former Lioness and football pundit, hopes her fast feet from football will serve her well, though she admits dancing in heels is a new challenge.
Soap stars are keen to break free from their on-screen personas. EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal relishes the chance to show the real her, noting, "This is a chance to show who we are at heart, particularly with EastEnders... people think you are that person and you respond to every situation with a lifted eyebrow and a snarl and that's not the case!" Stefan Dennis, the long-serving Neighbours villain, echoed the sentiment, hoping viewers see his true personality for a change.
Not every contestant was present at the press event. Thomas Skinner, former Apprentice star, was absent but reassured fans he remains committed: "can't wait to give it my all on that dancefloor." Meanwhile, Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope was brought in at the last minute after Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn withdrew for medical reasons. Lewis, who has some hip-hop dance experience, quipped about feeling "positively ancient" at age 30, but is eager to learn new skills.
With the launch show set for September 20 and live shows beginning the following week, the cast is bracing for a whirlwind of sequins, sweat, and, hopefully, standing ovations. For Dani Dyer and her fellow contestants, the journey promises not just a shot at the glitterball trophy, but a chance to dazzle, surprise, and show the nation who they really are—one dance at a time.
