Strictly Come Dancing fans have predicted ‘same sex pairings’ and one star that could be ‘benched’ ahead of the new series.
Eagle-eyed viewers of the show teamed up on social media to discuss the fate of the freshest celeb contestants as well as potential matches, after the stellar 2025 line-up was revealed.
The final three celebrity contestants were confirmed on Friday morning, with showbiz correspondent Ross King, former Lioness Karen Carney and Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn finishing off the reveals.
They are set to join the likes of Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey; Love Island’s Dani Dyer; actress Alex Kingston; footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink; soap star Balvinder Sopal and TikTok star George Clarke on the dancefloor.
And now, dedicated fans of the beloved BBC show shared their theories on Reddit, taking a bet on which celebrity will be paired with which pro.
A fan predicted Kristian will be matched with a male professional, writing: ‘Given his height, maybe there’s a chance he gets a male pro?
Strictly Come Dancing fans have predicted ‘same sex pairings’ and one star that could be ‘benched’ ahead of the new series (pictured contestant Vicky Pattison)
Eagle-eyed viewers of the show rallied up on social media platform to discuss the fate of the freshest celeb contestants as well as potential matches, after the stellar 2025 line-up was revealed (pictured ex contestant Wynne Evans and pro Katya Jones)
‘Even the taller female pros will still be nearly a foot shorter than him. Excited to see him, always struck me as a lovely guy in interviews.’
While another user responded: ‘Maybe he’ll get Johannes?’
‘Wow, was not expecting this. Rooting for him and excited to see how they will work around the height difference,’ a third person added.
Another Strictly viewer shared his takes in the fan-studded thread, penning: ‘I feel like these will all be paired together.
‘Alex Kingston and Aljaz Skorjanec, Balvinder Sopal and Neil Jones, Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova, Dani Dyer and Julian Caillon.’
‘Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Lauren Oakley, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Dianne Buswell, Karen Carney and Vito Coppola, Kristian Nairn and Carlos Gu, La Voix and Kai Widdrington, Ross King and Jowita Przystal.
‘Stefan Dennis and Karen Hauer, Thomas Skinner and Luba Mushtuk, and Vicky Pattison and Johannes Radebe.’
The final three celebrity contestants were confirmed on Friday morning, with showbiz correspondent Ross King, former Lioness Karen Carney and Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn finishing off the reveals
Former Arsenal player Karen, 38, was also unveiled on BBC Radio 2
Elsewhere a different fan theorised Spanish pro Gorka Marquez could be ‘benched’ this year, saying: ‘Gorka (obviously), Amy, Katya, Nancy and Michelle.
‘The reason I suggested these pairing predictions is because Katya has been through enough scandals already especially the Wynne Evans situation last year so best to leave her on the bench to prevent more controversy.
‘It’s about time Vito challenges himself with someone with not as much dance experience or a fair amount of rhythm so Karen Carney would be possible.
They continued: ‘Even though Karen Hauer is the oldest female pro still going, I feel Stefan Dennis would be a possible contender for her as this may well be her last year on the show (unless she wants to set the record to overtake Brendan’s 15 series and Anton’s 18 series then fair enough).
‘It would also be best if Amy sits this series out to prioritise her health and well being.’
But another user interceded disagreeing, responding: ‘I’d be incredibly surprised if Katya was benched.
Kristian is best known for playing Hodor in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones and at 6ft9 he confessed he’s worried about how his height will impact him on the dancefloor
And now, dedicated fans of the beloved BBC show shared their theories on Reddit, taking a bet on which celebrity will be paired with which pro
A fan predicted Kristian will be matched with a male professional, writing: ‘Given his height, maybe there’s a chance he gets a male pro?’
Elsewhere a different fan theorised Spanish pro Gorka Marquez could be ‘benched’ this year
‘If her controversies were seen as bad enough to not have her compete, I reckon they would just advise her to quit.
‘She’s still one of the most popular pros regardless of any controversy, which just shows how good she is.’
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
Dani Dyer
Age: 29
Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner
Dani says: ‘Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Kristian Nairn
Age: 49
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it!’
