The Strictly Come Dancing professional line-up has officially been announced for 2025. The BBC’s hit Latin and ballroom competition will return later this year with a host of famous faces hoping to waltz their way to the Glitterball Trophy, with the celebrities set to be confirmed nearer the time. Now, the Beeb has revealed the pro dancers who will be putting them through their paces, with Strictly legend Johannes Radebe making a surprise return.
Although he was part of the 2024 series paired with Gladiators star Montell Douglas, his status for the upcoming season was uncertain. As well as playing Lola in the current UK tour of West End show Kinky Boots, his memoir JoJo: Finally Home is being adapted for the big screen. He’ll be part of the lineup alongside the returning Amy Dowden, who was forced to pull out of last year’s show just weeks in due to a foot injury.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 professional line-up includes returning stars such as Carlous Gu and Kai Widdrington, who missed out on partners in the 2024 series. Reigning champion Dianne Buswell is also set to return after lifting the trophy last year with Chris McCausland, who made history as the first blind contestant and winner on the show.
Also joining the lineup are Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Vito Coppola, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przysta, Aljaž Škorjanec, Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley, and Michelle Tsiakkas. There will also be two brand new pros, who will be revealed closer to the return after the summer.
Sarah James, Executive Producer of BBC Studios, promised ‘another unforgettable series of dazzling dance and loads more’ as anticipation builds for the new season. Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, added: ‘The Strictly Professional Dancers are the beating heart of the programme, showcasing to viewers in every corner of the UK their world-class talent by lighting up the famous Strictly ballroom every Saturday and Sunday night.’
Fans will be glad to see Karen back after previous speculation that the show’s longest-running pro could be facing the axe. Thankfully, that’s not the case, and the 42-year-old dancer – who joined in 2012 – recently opened up on being inspired by ‘younger female dancers’. She said: ‘I’m the longest serving on the show, but new dancers don’t threaten me – I watch them and I learn from them. They inspire me and build my confidence.’
Meanwhile, there is no place in the Strictly 2025 lineup for Giovanni Pernice, who didn’t take part in last year’s series. He found himself at the heart of a bullying scandal following a series of allegations made by former dance partner Amanda Abbington. After a probe into the claims, the BBC issued an apology to the Sherlock star – upholding a number of points, but clearing Pernice of the most serious allegations. There were no findings relating to physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, reported the PA news agency last year.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year, promising a season filled with entertainment and high-quality performances. The excitement is already palpable as fans look forward to the celebrity line-up announcement, which is expected to come in the following months. With the show’s past successes, including last year’s average of 8.8 million viewers and a peak of 10.1 million for the final, the upcoming season is set to be another sensational showcase of talent and charisma.
