This Strictly star may be just days away from making his debut on the dance floor, but he looked unrecognisable in a string of throwback snaps.
The athlete could very well lift be lifting this year’s glitterball trophy considering he has been winning awards since his teens.
Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, 37, was crowned Young Sports Personality back in 2005 at the tender age of 17.
Looking world from his muscle bound alter ego Nitro, the fresh faced future star beamed as was presented with the gold trophy .
Looking dapper in a black pin-striped suit Harry, who previously appeared in Strictly’s 2024 Christmas special, napped the gong for being the first IAAF World Youth Championships sprinter to win gold in both the 100m and 200m.
He would go on to win three gold medals at the European Athletics Championships and two golds at the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games before joining the cast of Gladiators.
This Strictly star may be just days away from making his debut on the dance floor, but he looked unrecognisable in a string of throwback snaps (pictured 2005)
The athlete could very well lift be lifting this year’s glitterball trophy considering he has been winning awards since his teens
Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, 37, was crowned Young Sports Personality back in 2005 at the tender age of 17
It comes after Strictly Come Dancing insiders have addressed fan fears for pregnant Dianne Buswell‘s wellbeing after concerns were raised over ‘gruelling 10-hour rehearsals.’
The professional dancer, 36, who’s celebrity partner will be revealed during this weekend’s launch show, announced she and her YouTuber partner Joe Sugg, 33, were set to welcome a baby boy in an update last week.
Dianne is said to be ‘taking it at her own pace’ with ‘regular breaks’ as she becomes the first ever Strictly professional to compete on the show while pregnant.
An insider told Daily Mail: ‘There are duty of care and welfare measures in place for everyone working on Strictly.
‘As with all sessions, there will have been regular breaks and rest/warm-up periods, and the rehearsal will have been led by Dianne and tailored to the pace of her and her partner.’
Previously, The Sun claimed Diane’s ‘marathon Strictly Come Dancing rehearsal went on for a gruelling ten hours,’ with insiders claiming that was not the case.
Diane’s announcement came just one week before the hit show returns to our screens for a new series – which will run up until the week before Christmas this year.
Never before has a pregnant professional competed on the show.
Harry napped the gong for being the first IAAF World Youth Championships sprinter to win gold in both the 100m and 200m
He would go on to win three gold medals at the European Athletics Championships and two golds at the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games (pictured 2023)
Pictured as Nitro on Gladiators
Back in 2014 then pro on Strictly Erin Boag revealed she had quit the show when she found out she was pregnant.
At the time she was expecting her first baby with her husband Peter O’Dowd and told The Mirror: ‘There’s been much speculation about my absence from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, but I can now reveal the real reason why I turned it down.
‘Yes, I’m truly excited and delighted to say I’m pregnant. It’s such a relief to be able to tell all as it’s been strictly mum’s the word these past few months.’
When she quit she was one of only three dancers to have appeared in all 10 series of the BBC show since it started in 2002.
Dianne shared her happy news about her pregnancy to her Instagram on Sunday.
For their pregnancy reveal video, poignantly set to Elton John‘s Tiny Dancer, the couple set up an easel and pretended to paint a picture together, with playful dramatics.
They then picked up the canvas to display it to the camera, revealing a drawing of two stickmen – one with Dianne’s signature flaming red hair – holding hands with a baby.
The couple added that their first child was due in 2026 and even revealed the sex of their little one, declaring they were expecting a son.
Joe captioned the clip: ‘Our little baby boy ❤️ we cannot wait to meet you’.
Strictly Come Dancing insiders have addressed fan fears for pregnant Dianne Buswell’s wellbeing after concerns were raised over ‘gruelling 10-hour rehearsals’ (pictured in January)
The professional dancer, 36, and her YouTuber partner Joe Sugg, 33, were set to welcome a baby boy in an update last week and she is said to be ‘taking it at her own pace’ with ‘breaks’
The couple were flooded with congratulatory comments from friends and fans, with their fellow Strictly stars leading the well wishes.
Joe and Dianne struck up a romance when they were paired together during the sixteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2018.
And Dianne has made lots of hints towards their baby plans in recent months, admitting in May that she was desperate to become a mum.
But the star, who won the Glitterball Trophy with partner Chris McCausland last year, explained that the gruelling demands of her showbiz career had put their family plans on hold.
She told The Sun: ‘I would like to have children, 100 per cent. Joe and I love kids, and that’s definitely something that we would absolutely love. I haven’t really thought about how many I would like. It will definitely happen.’
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.’
George Clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’
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!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’
