Strictly 2025

sheepdog · ‎11-08-2025

And how time flies! Time for the annual reveal of this years Strictly cast of celebs. Oh who am I kidding, let's just pick the anonymity out of the dustbin that is the BBC budget for a flagship show. So before the exciting questions of "Who is this" and "Que?" followed by "Weren't they on Eastenders a decade ago?" and the inevitable "Guess who's needs a career boost", we must mention the new and exciting changes.

First, in a very thoughtful and provoking group session in the BBC canteen, same old judges line-up and we'll get more of I, Claudia propped up by Tess Daley emerging from her yearly hibernation box who may sport another subtle cosmetic procedure. DAO is likely to return as Oasis are still on tour.

Though in rather more salacious news, there is a drug investigation by the BBC into two "Strictly stars". Which was submitted in March but hey, a new series of Strictly needs all exposure as possible so was announced a few days ago. Must disengage cynical mode....and two new dancers to join Neil Jones as backing dancers: Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon. Usual pro-dancers and yet we still have Katya Jones?

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey

First up, because the BBC really need Gladiators to be successful and everyone will be copy & pasting his name cos I ain't typing it. Former athlete and er, current Gladiator. Could do reasonably well but may find himself in the dance-off mid-series because someone has to.

Alex Kingston

Various roles over the years and this years older woman contestant so far. Could be fun or could be not.

Dani Dyer

Not Danny Dyer and just to remind you who she is, the BBC has kindly put up a photo with Danny Dyer. Famous for being Danny Dyer's daughter and being on Love Island but mainly being Danny Dyer's daughter as seen in the photo. Dubious EE link but we await to see if Danny Dyer will be announced as a contestant to remind everyone who the daughter of Danny Dyer is.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Legend. And my favourite so far to bring the entertainment. Possibly some decent footwork coming from a footballer but we'll see. Probably won't help him find a new club to manage though.

Cleoriff · ‎11-08-2025

Hi @sheepdog

I thought I'd post these tomorrow morning. I mistakenly thought you would spend hours trying to get online here due to the VM/O2 new log in fiasco and would give up. 😂

Anyway, nice to hear from you and no doubt we'll be adding more 'celebs' over the next few days.

A bit late now so i'll leave it at that.

Veritas Numquam Perit

Cleoriff · ‎12-08-2025

To continue.....

Jimmy AA (AKA Nitro) in Gladiator world.

Did last years SCD Christmas Special. Now either I'm going senile or I missed the Festive Edition!!

Also, 'a multi gold medal Olympic sprinter'. Who knew?

Also won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2005

Alex Kingston.

Apparently was 'begged' to do SCD by her good friend Sarah Hadland who appeared in the show last year (and shocked us all by being a damn good dancer who was never in the dance off and reached the final)

Alex has been in Doctor Who playing his wife. Also been in ER for 8 years.

Also written a few books ......and is 62.

Dani Dyer......

Nothing more to add to your precis above @sheepdog 😂

Going to be amusing seeing her Dad in the audience giving Craig the evil eye

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

My football knowledge is limited but even I had heard of this guy,

During his interview on the One Show last night he stated his daughters nagged him to do the show.

Apparently he is a legend of the football world.

ANNOUNCED THIS MORNING (TUES)

Balvinder Sopal

Currently starring in Eastenders (which I never watch) Started in the show in 2019

Prior to this, she had a guest appearance in Call The MIdwife. Has also appeared in Waterloo Road and Doctors.

To be continued.......😂

Veritas Numquam Perit

sheepdog · ‎12-08-2025

@Cleoriff well the vmo2 random login experience is well, abysmal. My setup was ok then I had to do one for someone else how has reading issue - cue how many circles can we do to login. Third one, for my father, ended up working but only because he left it after going round in circles for an hour. Oh for the days when o2 forgot to renew their SSL certificate causing people to register on the forum to demand compensation...

Think we're having the mid-table of mediocrity announcements now which is far more polite than it should be...

George Clark

Contender number 6 is the now required youtube/tiktok/instagram youngster we never knew existed. Zero idea of him and a cat video channel check shows I'm still as clueless to what the point of his channel is. Wouldn't have minded if it was George Clarke from that C4 house program. Any bets on the Dani Dyer/George Clark "romance" happening?

Cleoriff · ‎12-08-2025

@sheepdog

George Clark (Known as Clarky to his followers...whoever they are!! 😂)

I've never heard of him. So another thumbs down from me!
I doubt George will have a romantic interest in Dani Dyer. He knows who her father is!!

As for the log in fiasco, you were probably lucky you left it so long.

Those of us who tried it the first morning were going round in circles for about 2 hours.

if interested, you can read about it HERE

Veritas Numquam Perit

Cleoriff · ‎13-08-2025

La Voix is the 7th contestant.

Another one 'famous' for appearing in Ru Pauls Drag Race.

Never watched the show so have never heard of La Voix.

Veritas Numquam Perit

Cleoriff · ‎13-08-2025

Chris Robshaw is the 8th contestant.

Chris Robshaw is a former England rugby union player and captain. He first joined his childhood club, Harlequins RFC, straight out of school and became captain at 23 years old. He earned 66 caps for England and captained the national team 43 times, leading them to a Six Nations Grand Slam victory in 2016. At club level, he played 300 games for Harlequins RFC, guiding them through their most successful era and becoming the only player to win the Aviva Premiership Player of the Year Award twice.

I'm hoping for a miracle. Of the 8 contestants announced so far, I know 3 of them. Jimmy, Dani and Alex.

Hoping they are saving the best till last 😂

Johnny Depp is looking for work, so I live in hope!!

Veritas Numquam Perit

Cleoriff · ‎13-08-2025

Ellie Goldstein is the 9th contestant.

Ellie is a trailblazing model, actor and influencer, who in 2023 made history as the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue. Her modelling career has also seen Ellie appear on the covers of Glamour, Elle, Mission Mag and Euphoria magazines, and she has featured in huge campaigns for brands such as Gucci Beauty and Adidas. Two years ago Ellie partnered with Mattel to launch the first ever Barbie with Downs syndrome.