Strictly Come Dancing has officially returned for 2025 and the first show saw the stars matched with their professional partners for the first time, much to fans delight
Strictly Come Dancing has made its grand return, with this year’s celebrity contestants making their debut on the famous dance floor. Stars from all corners of the entertainment world are dancing for the Glitterball Trophy.
They’re hoping to emulate the success of comedian Chris McCausland, who danced his way to victory last year alongside professional partner Diane Buswell. As the reigning champions, they’re thrilling fans with encore performances before relinquishing the trophy.
This year’s line-up includes Doctor Who star Alex Kingston, model Ellie Goldstein, Gladiators’ Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and EastEnders’ Balvinder Sopal. YouTuber George Clarke, drag queen La Voix, former England rugby player Chris Robshaw and The Apprentice’s Tom Skinner are also stepping onto the dance floor.
The cast is rounded out by Neighbours’ Stefan Dennis, Lioness Karen Carney, reality TV star Vicky Pattison, ex-Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope, footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Love Island’s Dani Dyer and TV presenter Ross King. They’ll be put through their paces by judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Saturday night’s launch show saw the celebrities paired up with their professional partners for the first time, giving fans a sneak peek at the potential competition frontrunners, reports the Mirror.
The first confirmed pairings were Lewis Cope and Katya Jones, Ross King and Jowita Przystał, Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin, Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova, and La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec.
The next pairings to be unveiled were Vicky Pattison with Kai Widdrington, Alex Kingston partnered with Johannes Radebe, Ellie Goldstein matched with Vito Coppola, Balvinder Sopal teamed with Julian Caillon, and Karen Carney coupled with Carlos Gu.
After the reveal, numerous viewers glumly forecast Ross’s early departure, with one commenting: “Poor Jowita out first.”
Another chimed in: “Sorry Jowita, it’s an early exit for you this year.”
The launch programme was pre-taped on the same night as the National Television Awards, preventing several celebrities from attending the NTAs ceremony to collect their Talent show award.
Although the programme isn’t broadcast live, many will be watching Thomas Skinner closely, as his participation has sparked considerable debate since his announcement for this year’s series.
Thomas’s inclusion hasn’t sat well with Strictly devotees, given his reputation as a vocal presence on social platforms. His private affairs have also made front-page news recently after he admitted to a ‘fling’ with Amy-Lucy O’Rourke mere weeks following his wedding to wife Sinead.
While he maintained the liaison was a ‘one off’ incident, Amy-Lucy subsequently spoke out to refute his version of events, creating a media storm that has overshadowed tonight’s show.
Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter
#Strictly #Dancing #couples #finally #unveiled #fans #predict #leave #early
