STRICTLY’s 2025 dancefloor is taking shape.
The BBC has confirmed a refreshed line-up of professional dancers, two new faces are joining the fold, and there’s already been one high-profile withdrawal from the celeb cast.
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Two brand-new professionals are joining the Strictly Come Dancing family this year: Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon.
The BBC has confirmed both pros for the 2025 series, expanding the stable with fresh talent ahead of launch.
Here’s who’s in, who’s out, and when we’re back in the ballroom.
Who are the Strictly dancers 2025?
Alongside the newcomers, fan favourites are returning in the 2025 professional line-up:
- 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
- Julian Caillon
- Alexis Warr
There’s also set to be a history-making moment: Dianne Buswell will become the first pregnant professional to compete on the show.
Dianne and partner Joe Sugg announced they’re expecting a baby, and she’s since reassured fans she’s well and still training with the Strictly team as the series builds up, making telly history in the process.
Glitterball champ Oti Mabuse is also making a comeback to the Strictly mothership in 2025.
It’s her first on-show appearance since leaving the pro line-up, and bosses are bringing her back in a special capacity that’s set to delight long-time fans.
After stepping away to front other TV projects, Oti’s return is being teed up as a headline moment for the new series.
Expect the usual Strictly pattern: the pre-recorded launch show will unveil the pairings, then the pros and celebs hit the floor live with their Week 1 routines shortly afterwards.
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Which dancers have left Strictly for this year?
On the professional side, the key change is addition rather than subtraction—Warr and Caillon join the team, while the BBC’s published list for 2025 sets out who is in the pro line-up this year.
If a pro is not on that official 2025 list, they won’t be competing for the Glitterball this series.
For example, Strictly signed rising Italian Latin star Simone Arena to the professional team earlier this year, with the Vice Italian Latin Champion drafted in to replace Giovanni Pernice following last year’s off-show turmoil.
Meanwhile, Gorka Marquez has addressed what he called a “toxic” series and explained his decision around the 2025 run, saying he’s not returning this year after a bruising spell behind the scenes.
Bosses have rolled out “militant” new rules to stamp out bad behaviour among the pro ranks this series, with stricter oversight and a tougher code of conduct designed to protect celebs and staff.
If you’re comparing year-on-year pro rosters, the simplest way to see who’s “left” for 2025 is to cross-check the BBC’s confirmed pro list for this series against last year’s.
Anyone absent from the 2025 list is not competing this time—even if they remain associated with the show for tours, specials or future seasons.
When is Strictly 2025 on?
Strictly is back at 6.40pm on Saturday, 20th September, on BBC One and iPlayer, with the launch show setting pairings and the first live show following shortly after.
Expect all the trimmings: a red-carpet style cast reveal, glittering group numbers to showcase the returning pros, and plenty of training-room VTs as everyone gets to grips with their Week 1 dances.
From there, it’s the classic Strictly journey — paso dobles, salsas, waltzes and those leaderboard-shaping showstoppers — building to Blackpool and beyond as the competition tightens.
