Strictly 2025 contestants have captured the attention of viewers worldwide as the latest season of Strictly Come Dancing showcases an exciting mix of celebrities from sports, acting, reality TV, social media, and other diverse backgrounds. The 2025 season promises fierce competition, dazzling choreography, unforgettable performances, emotional journeys, and inspiring stories that highlight why Strictly Come Dancing continues to be one of the most beloved television shows in the UK.
What Is Strictly Come Dancing?
Strictly Come Dancing, often simply called Strictly, is a British television dance competition where celebrities pair up with professional dancers to compete in weekly ballroom and Latin dance challenges. The couples are judged by a panel of experts on technical ability, creativity, performance, and overall presentation. Audience votes are combined with judges’ scores to determine which couple leaves the competition each week.
The show has become a cultural phenomenon since its debut, blending star power, artistry, and storytelling in a way that appeals to a broad audience. Every season introduces new dance trends, high-profile contestants, and emotional narratives that inspire viewers both on and off the dance floor.
The 2025 season, officially Series 23, began in September 2025 with fifteen celebrity contestants, each paired with a professional dancer. This season is notable for its inclusivity, diversity, and unique mix of talent, offering a fresh perspective on competitive dance while maintaining the classic charm and excitement of the show.
Why the Strictly 2025 Contestants Matter
The cast of Strictly 2025 stands out for several reasons:
Diverse Backgrounds: Contestants come from sports, acting, reality TV, modeling, and even social media, reflecting a wider spectrum of modern celebrity culture.
Trailblazers and Representation: The season includes participants who challenge norms, such as contestants with disabilities or those from underrepresented communities, demonstrating that dance is accessible to all.
Inspiring Stories: Many contestants have overcome personal challenges or achieved success in other fields, providing motivational narratives that resonate with audiences.
Audience Engagement: The combination of celebrities and professional dancers creates a strong emotional connection with viewers, who are invested not only in the competition but also in the growth and journey of the contestants.
The Strictly 2025 contestants continue the show’s tradition of mixing star power with artistry, ensuring memorable performances and emotional storytelling throughout the season.
Meet the Strictly 2025 Contestants and Their Professional Partners
Below is a detailed overview of each contestant in Strictly 2025, including their professional dance partners, backgrounds, and performance highlights.
Karen Carney & Carlos Gu — Winners
Celebrity: Karen Carney — Former professional footballer and sports broadcaster.
Professional Partner: Carlos Gu — Chinese National Champion and Strictly professional dancer.
Status: Winners of Strictly 2025.
Karen Carney is a retired footballer with a decorated career playing for Chelsea, Arsenal, and the England national team. Her transition from sports to television made her a familiar face to viewers. Partnered with Carlos Gu, Karen quickly adapted to the technical demands of ballroom and Latin dance. Their performances were praised for precision, energy, and storytelling, culminating in a well-deserved victory. Karen’s athletic background contributed to her endurance, balance, and coordination, giving her an edge in more physically demanding routines.
George Clarke & Alexis Warr — Finalists
Celebrity: George Clarke — British YouTuber, comedian, and podcast host.
Professional Partner: Alexis Warr — Experienced international ballroom dancer.
Status: Finalists.
George Clarke charmed audiences with his humor, stage presence, and commitment to learning new dance styles. His partnership with Alexis Warr was praised for chemistry and creative choreography. Their performances often blended humor with technical skill, making them standout finalists and crowd favorites. George’s journey emphasized the importance of personality and charisma in addition to technique in competitive dance.
Amber Davies & Nikita Kuzmin — Runners-Up
Celebrity: Amber Davies — Love Island winner, West End performer, and actor.
Professional Partner: Nikita Kuzmin — Popular Strictly pro dancer.
Status: Runners-Up.
Amber brought theatricality and performance experience to the ballroom. Her routines with Nikita Kuzmin emphasized storytelling, expressive movement, and musicality. Amber’s growth over the season was remarkable; her performances evolved from beginner-level confidence to professional-level execution. Audience members appreciated her dedication and versatility, especially in styles like contemporary and salsa.
Vicky Pattison & Kai Widdrington — Eliminated 7th
Celebrity: Vicky Pattison — Television personality and author.
Professional Partner: Kai Widdrington — Seasoned Strictly pro dancer.
Vicky Pattison’s journey highlighted perseverance and resilience. Despite technical challenges, she impressed judges with effort, emotional storytelling, and adaptability to different dance styles. Her routines often reflected personal narratives, which deepened audience engagement and created memorable moments.
Lewis Cope & Katya Jones — Eliminated 9th
Celebrity: Lewis Cope — Actor known for soap operas and television dramas.
Professional Partner: Katya Jones — Experienced Strictly professional dancer.
Lewis displayed consistent progress, showing both athleticism and grace. His performances reflected a dedication to learning, with particular strengths in high-energy Latin dances. Katya Jones’s guidance helped Lewis refine technique, footwork, and performance quality, allowing him to compete strongly even if he didn’t reach the finals.
Alex Kingston & Johannes Radebe — Eliminated 8th
Celebrity: Alex Kingston — Acclaimed actress from Doctor Who and ER.
Professional Partner: Johannes Radebe — Veteran Strictly pro dancer.
Alex brought elegance and confidence to every routine. Her experience on screen translated into strong stage presence and expressive movement, making her dances memorable. Although technical execution sometimes limited her progression, her emotional connection with the music often won audience votes.
Balvinder Sopal & Julian Caillon — Eliminated 10th
Celebrity: Balvinder Sopal — Actress known for her work in soap operas.
Professional Partner: Julian Caillon — Internationally experienced dancer.
Balvinder’s inclusion added diversity to the line-up. Her routines highlighted commitment and growth, demonstrating that dedication to training can overcome initial inexperience. Julian Caillon’s choreography often accentuated her strengths, creating dynamic and polished performances.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey & Karen Hauer — Eliminated 6th
Celebrity: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey — Olympic-level sprinter and television personality.
Professional Partner: Karen Hauer — Experienced Strictly professional dancer.
Harry’s athleticism was evident in fast-paced routines, lifts, and demanding choreography. Despite challenges in technical refinement, his energy and stamina made him a fan favorite. His journey demonstrated how physical skill can complement, but not fully replace, ballroom technique.
Ellie Goldstein & Vito Coppola — Eliminated 5th
Celebrity: Ellie Goldstein — Model and actress, first contestant with Down syndrome.
Professional Partner: Vito Coppola — Popular professional dancer.
Ellie’s participation marked a historic moment in Strictly history. Her routines were celebrated for courage, joy, and emotional authenticity. She inspired viewers worldwide, proving that dance transcends ability. Vito Coppola’s choreography was adapted to showcase Ellie’s strengths while maintaining competitive standards.
Chris Robshaw & Nadiya Bychkova — Eliminated 3rd
Celebrity: Chris Robshaw — Former England rugby captain.
Professional Partner: Nadiya Bychkova — Veteran Strictly pro dancer.
Chris’s leadership qualities and discipline were visible in every performance. His athletic background enabled strong execution of lifts and demanding routines. While technical consistency varied, his determination and growth made him a respected competitor.
Thomas Skinner & Amy Dowden — Eliminated 1st
Celebrity: Thomas Skinner — TV personality and entrepreneur.
Professional Partner: Amy Dowden — Beloved Strictly pro dancer.
Thomas’s Strictly journey was short-lived but memorable. His enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and charisma provided engaging performances for early audiences. Amy Dowden guided him through the fundamentals of ballroom and Latin dance, creating routines that were fun and approachable.
Ross King & Jowita Przystał — Eliminated 2nd
Celebrity: Ross King — TV presenter with decades of entertainment experience.
Professional Partner: Jowita Przystał — Seasoned Strictly professional dancer.
Ross brought extensive performance experience to the ballroom. Despite early elimination, his routines demonstrated confidence, presence, and an understanding of showmanship.
Dani Dyer & Nikita Kuzmin — Withdrew
Celebrity: Dani Dyer — Reality TV star and media personality.
Professional Partner: Nikita Kuzmin — Strictly professional dancer.
Dani withdrew due to injury, leaving a gap in the competition. Her initial performances were energetic and engaging, with potential for growth had she continued.
La Voix & Aljaž Škorjanec — Withdrew
Celebrity: La Voix — Drag performer and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK runner-up.
Professional Partner: Aljaž Škorjanec — Veteran Strictly professional dancer.
La Voix brought a fresh flair, artistry, and theatricality to the dancefloor before her unexpected exit. Her performances were bold, colorful, and memorable, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink & Lauren Oakley — Eliminated 4th
Celebrity: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink — Former Premier League footballer and manager.
Professional Partner: Lauren Oakley — Skilled Strictly professional dancer.
Jimmy’s competitive nature and charisma made his routines exciting to watch. Though technical challenges occasionally limited his progress, his energy and audience connection were undeniable.
Behind the Scenes: Judges and Hosts
The judging panel and hosts of Strictly 2025 played a crucial role in shaping the competition:
Judges: Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke. They evaluated technical precision, performance, creativity, and audience appeal, providing critiques that guided the contestants’ growth.
Hosts: Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman presented the live shows, revealed scores, and provided behind-the-scenes insights that added depth and entertainment to the viewing experience.
The combination of experienced judges and charismatic hosts ensures fairness, expertise, and consistent engagement for audiences.
How Strictly 2025 Contestants Are Scored
Understanding the scoring system helps viewers follow the competition:
Judges’ Scores: Each judge scores routines on a scale of 1–10, evaluating technique, performance, and artistry.
Public Vote: Viewer votes are combined with judges’ scores to determine the bottom two couples.
Dance-Offs: Couples in the bottom two perform again, and the judges decide who stays in the competition.
This dual evaluation system balances technical merit with audience appeal, creating suspenseful weekly eliminations.
Strictly 2025 Trends: What’s New This Season
This season has introduced notable trends that reflect cultural shifts and evolving dance styles:
Inclusive Casting: Featuring contestants with disabilities and diverse backgrounds, making the show more representative of modern society.
Cross-Genre Talent: Contestants include athletes, actors, reality stars, and social media personalities, enriching the variety of performances.
Social Media Engagement: Behind-the-scenes clips, rehearsals, and live interactions on social platforms have amplified audience participation.
Dance Style Diversity: More contemporary, theatrical, and experimental routines appeared alongside classic ballroom and Latin styles, showcasing the evolution of dance on the show.
These trends ensure Strictly remains fresh, relevant, and entertaining for all audiences.
Practical Tips for Viewers
Watch Launch Shows: Introductions provide insight into contestants’ personalities and initial chemistry with partners.
Follow Social Media Buzz: Rehearsals, clips, and behind-the-scenes moments enhance viewing experience.
Learn Basic Dance Moves: Understanding waltz, tango, cha-cha, and other styles allows viewers to appreciate technical and artistic skill.
Track Weekly Scores: Compare judges’ feedback with audience voting trends to predict eliminations and support favorites.
Explore Historical Context: Understanding previous seasons provides perspective on how contestants progress and innovate.
FAQs
What makes Strictly 2025 contestants stand out from previous seasons?
This season features unprecedented diversity, representation, and inclusion, with contestants from non-traditional backgrounds and differing abilities, inspiring viewers globally.
Who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2025?
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu won the Glitterball Trophy, celebrated for technical skill, storytelling, and audience appeal.
How many contestants competed in Strictly 2025?
There were 15 celebrity contestants at the start of the season.
Are there historic moments from Strictly 2025?
Yes, Ellie Goldstein became the first contestant with Down syndrome, marking a milestone for representation and inclusivity.
How are contestants scored each week?
Judges provide technical and performance-based scores, which are combined with public votes to determine rankings and eliminations.
Final Thoughts
The Strictly 2025 contestants have delivered some of the most memorable and inspiring performances in the show’s history. From historic representation to fierce competition and unforgettable routines, Series 23 has proven that talent, dedication, and storytelling remain at the heart of Strictly Come Dancing.
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu’s triumph exemplifies the blend of skill, determination, and audience appeal that defines a winner. Contestants like Ellie Goldstein, Amber Davies, and George Clarke have captured hearts through courage, creativity, and personality.
This season’s Strictly contestants will be remembered for their energy, diversity, and the way they pushed the boundaries of what competitive dance can represent. Whether you watched live, caught up with highlights, or followed behind-the-scenes content, Strictly 2025 offered lessons in perseverance, artistry, and the universal power of dance.
To read more – Leeds Herald
About the Author
