The glittering spectacle of Strictly Come Dancing relies on its phenomenal cast of professional dancers, and the 2025 series is no exception. These talented individuals are the backbone of the hit BBC show, choreographing stunning routines and guiding their celebrity partners through the intense competition week after week.
The Returning Favourites and New Additions
The professional line-up for the 2025 season features a host of familiar faces that viewers know and love. Fan favourites such as Dianne Buswell, Katya Jones, and Johannes Radebe are all set to bring their expertise back to the ballroom. In a heartening return, Amy Dowden is back in the fold after being forced to withdraw from the 2024 series due to a foot injury.
This year, the roster is spiced up with two new international additions: Alexis Warr from the United States and Julian Caillon from Australia. Both newcomers have been given a celebrity partner for Series 23, ensuring they will be front and centre from the very first dance.
Professional Dancers With and Without Partners
While the full troupe of professionals is essential to the show's group numbers, not every dancer is paired with a celebrity at the start of the competition. For the 2025 season, five established pros did not receive a partner. These include Neil Jones, Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Nancy Xu.
Here is the confirmed list of all professional dancers for Strictly Come Dancing 2025:
- Dianne Buswell
- Nadiya Bychkova
- Amy Dowden (returning from medical leave)
- 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 for 2025)
- Julian Caillon (new for 2025)
Spotlight on the New Strictly Professionals
The two new faces joining the Strictly Come Dancing family bring impressive credentials. American-born Alexis Warr is a renowned winner of the US series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022, where she was crowned ‘America’s Favourite Dancer’. She is the first female Ballroom and Latin dancer to claim that title.
Alexis is no stranger to the Strictly format, having performed as a guest professional and in the dance troupe on the American version, Dancing With The Stars. She expressed her excitement, stating: “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.”
Hailing from Australia, Julian Caillon has been dancing since he was ten years old, specialising in Ballroom and Latin. He has represented Australia internationally and appeared as a professional on three seasons of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars. Interestingly, Julian is also a qualified Exercise Physiologist and a keen athlete, having completed two triathlons in 2025.
On signing up for the show, Julian 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!”
With this dynamic mix of returning stars and exciting new talent, the 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing promises another unforgettable run of glamour, drama, and spectacular dancing.
