The glitterball is spinning once more as Strictly Come Dancing glides into its twenty-third series, bringing with it a dazzling array of professional dancers ready to wow the nation. The hit BBC reality competition, now in its seventh week, relies on the incredible talent and charisma of its pros to transform celebrities into ballroom contenders each weekend.
The Complete 2025 Professional Dancer Line-Up
The roster for this year features a mix of beloved familiar faces and two brand new international stars. The confirmed professional dancers for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 are: Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden (who has returned 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, and the two new recruits, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon.
While most of the professionals are returning veterans, five well-known dancers did not receive a celebrity partner for this series. Neil Jones, Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Nancy Xu will be cheering from the sidelines this time around. In a positive sign for the new joiners, both Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon were paired with a celebrity from the start.
Meet the New Faces on the Dancefloor
This autumn, the Strictly ballroom welcomes two fresh talents from opposite sides of the globe. Alexis Warr, an American dancer, arrives with an impressive pedigree. She shot to fame by winning the US series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022, earning the title of 'America’s Favourite Dancer' and becoming the first female Ballroom and Latin specialist to claim the crown.
Her resume also includes performances as a guest professional and troupe member on Dancing With The Stars, the American counterpart to Strictly, and she has been a staple of the show's national tour for the past three years. Warr has also graced the stages of America's Got Talent and World of Dance. On joining the Strictly family, she 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.”
Hailing from Australia, Julian Caillon brings his own wealth of experience. He began dancing at the age of 10, specialising in Ballroom and Latin, and went on to represent Australia internationally. Caillon has previously appeared as a professional on three seasons of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars and has toured globally with the hit production Burn The Floor.
Beyond the dance world, he holds a degree in Exercise Physiology and works as a Personal Trainer. He is also a keen athlete, having already completed two triathlons in 2025. Expressing his excitement, Caillon commented: “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!”
Celebrity and Professional Pairings for Series 23
The competition is already heating up with several couples having been eliminated. The current pairings for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 are as follows:
- Alex Kingston & Johannes Radebe
- Amber Davies & Nikita Kuzmin
- Balvinder Sopal & Julian Caillon
- George Clarke & Alexis Warr
- Harry Aikines-Aryeetey & Karen Hauer
- Karen Carney & Carlos Gu
- La Voix & Aljaž Škorjanec
- Lewis Cope & Katya Jones
- Vicky Pattison & Kai Widdrington
The series has already seen its fair share of drama, with the withdrawal of Stefan Dennis & Dianne Buswell and the eliminations of several couples, including Thomas Skinner & Amy Dowden and Ellie Goldstein & Vito Coppola. With the song list confirmed for the upcoming week and no specific theme announced, the focus remains squarely on the dancing talent and the chemistry between these professional and celebrity partnerships.
