Strictly Come Dancing: who are the professional dancers for series 23? Full list
Strictly Come Dancing has some new pros for 2025 - but who are they? 👀💃🕺
- Strictly Come Dancing will return this weekend.
- The stars will be taking on ‘Icons’ week.
- But who are the professionals this time around?
The celebrities might take the headlines but Strictly Come Dancing wouldn’t be the same without the professionals. Helping to guide the stars through their routines week-after-week, they are also dreaming of lifting the Glitterball Trophy in December.
It is ‘icons’ week on the ballroom floor and tracks from some real pop legends. See which songs will feature in the latest round of action.
But who are the professional dancers this time around? Here’s all you need to know:
Who are the Strictly Come Dancing pros in series 23?
The line-up of pros for the latest season of the hit reality competition will feature plenty of familiar faces. Most of the returning dancers will be ones that regular watchers are very familiar with.
However, there will be two new additions this year, it has been confirmed. It includes an American and an Australian.
- Dianne Buswell
- Nadiya Bychkova
- Amy Dowden
- Karen Hauer
- Katya Jones
- Neil Jones
- Nikita Kuzmin
- Gorka Marquez
- Luba Mushtuk
- Jowita Przystal
- Johannes Radebe
- Aljaž Škorjanec
- Kai Widdrington
- Nancy Xu
- Carlos Gu
- Lauren Oakley
- Michelle Tsiakkas
- Vito Coppola
- Alexis Warr (new)
- Julian Caillon (new)
Amy Dowden is back after she was forced to withdraw during the 2024 series because of a foot injury. She was partnered with JB Gill, but was taken to hospital before the Halloween episode, and had to pull out of the competition, being replaced by Lauren Oakley.
Which professionals didn’t get a partner?
Out of the line-up announced before the show, five of the professionals didn’t receive partners this time around. It included: Neil Jones, Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Nancy Xu.
Both of the new dancers received a celebrity partner for series 23.
What are the Strictly Come Dancing pairs for 2025?
- Thomas Skinner & Amy Dowden - eliminated 1st
- Ross King & Jowita Przystał - eliminated 2nd
- Chris Robshaw & Nadiya Bychkova - eliminated 3rd
- Stefan Dennis & Dianne Buswell - withdrawn
- Alex Kingston & Johannes Radebe
- Amber Davies & Nikita Kuzmin
- Balvinder Sopal & Julian Caillon
- Ellie Goldstein & Vito Coppola
- George Clarke & Alexis Warr
- Harry Aikines-Aryeetey & Karen Hauer
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink & Lauren Oakley
- Karen Carney & Carlos Gu
- La Voix & Aljaž Škorjanec
- Lewis Cope & Katya Jones
- Vicky Pattison & Kai Widdrington
Who are the new Strictly Come Dancing pros?
Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon will shimmy onto the dancefloor this autumn. American-born Alexis Warr is best known for winning US dance series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022 and was crowned as ‘America’s Favourite Dancer’, becoming the first female Ballroom and Latin dancer to claim the title.
She has performed as a guest Professional Dancer and in the dance troupe on the US version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars, and has been part of the series' accompanying US tour for the past three years. Alexis has also danced on America's Got Talent, World of Dance, and on national tours across the States - including three with Dancing With The Stars judge Derek Hough, in addition to his Las Vegas residency.
On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Alexis said: “I’ve admired Strictly for years, so joining this incredible family is such an honour. I can’t wait to step into the ballroom, pour my heart into every moment, and share my love of dance with the UK.”
Australian-born Julian Caillon has been dancing since the age of 10, specialising in Ballroom and Latin American, and going on to represent Australia on the international stage. He appeared as a Professional Dancer on three seasons of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars, has toured the globe with hit dance show Burn The Floor, and also competed on So You Think You Can Dance in Australia.
Julian has a degree in Exercise Physiology from UNSW Sydney and, alongside his dance career, has worked as a Personal Trainer and Exercise Physiologist. Julian is a keen athlete, and 2025 has so far seen him complete two triathlons.
Speaking about signing up for the show, he said: “Joining the cast of Strictly really is a dream come true. I’ve watched it for years, especially cheering on all the amazing dancers I know and work with who've been part of it. I can’t wait to get stuck in, have some fun, and be part of something special!”
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