Strictly 2025

[sheepdog]

@Cleoriff @RunrigForever 

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]

Announced Thursday 14th August. 

THOMAS SKINNER is the 10th contestant

Thomas Skinner first hit TV screens on The Apprentice in 2019, becoming a breakout star of his series. Since leaving the boardroom, Thomas has appeared on TV shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Wheel, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Good Morning Britain and Faking It, alongside a memorable and meme-worthy appearance on Celebrity Masterchef. Born and bred in Romford, Thomas is a self-confessed ‘grafter’ who has spent much of his life on market stalls and currently runs a number of small businesses, ranging from mattresses to a gym. His motivational-style social media videos, often featuring unconventional breakfasts, have become hugely popular, and in 2023 he released his debut book Graft – How to Smash Life.

Another 'celeb' I don't know!!!

TWO MORE CONTESTANTS TBA ON THIS MORNING LATER.

[jonsie]

Call me cynical but I can only see one winner.....Ellie Goldstein

[Cleoriff]

VICKY PATTISON is the 11th contestant to be announced. 

Vicky Pattison is a TV presenter, (Starting her career in Geordie Shore. She's an author, podcast and radio host who won the nation’s heart after being crowned Queen of the Jungle on I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2015. Since then, she’s remained a firm fixture on British screens, with presenting roles across MTV, ITV, Channel 5, Channel 4 and TLC.

Her critically acclaimed Channel 4 documentary Vicky Pattison: Alcohol, Dad and Me cemented her as a compelling and authentic voice in the conversation around alcohol addiction and mental health. Vicky has also been a Celebrity MasterChef finalist, appeared on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and featured in BBC’s Sport Relief: All Star Games and was seen raising money in BBC’s Arctic Challenge for Comic Relief last year.

I do know Vicky as I always watch I'm A Celeb. She was excellent on the show. Hard working and winning all her challenges. 

[Cleoriff]

STEFAN DENNIS is the 12th contestant to be announced. 

Stefan is an actor best known for playing Paul Robinson in Neighbours, the longest running drama series in Australian television history. He created the role for the first episode in 1985 and appeared in over 6,000 episodes during the 40 years that the show was on air. Prior to joining Neighbours, Stefan worked extensively on Australian television with roles on numerous shows such as Prisoner, The Henderson Kids, The Sullivans, Young Doctors and Sons and Daughters, to name a few.

He has also appeared in The Bill, Dream Team, River City and Casualty as well as starring in the West End musical Blood Brothers.

For all that, I've only ever known him as Paul Robinson from Neighbours. I watched the show for years!! 😂

SCD starts with 15 contestants so there are 3 more to be announced. 

I expect that will happen tomorrow?!

[sheepdog]

---

@jonsie wrote:

Call me cynical but I can only see one winner.....Ellie Goldstein

---

Well that's my title on this thread 😉

Seems my comments from yesterday disappeared which is probably this creaking old Macbook Air. 

La Voix: Early exit, probably wants to dance with Johannes and stay in full make-up. That make-up session will last longer than the sum total of him appearing on Strictly.

Chris Robshaw: Nope. No idea but given his wiki page is rather empty I'd say he's probably not going to be involved in any scandal. But then again, pair with Katya....more likely to be Nadiya or Luba with Nancy possibly a good match.

Ellie Goldstein: Vaguely heard about her and the usual checks says she's not lacking in confidence. Whether she's good enough to get past the mid-series point is another matter. Nikita favourite to pair. 

Thomas Skinner: A grafter eh? The BBC really are doing a graft on the celebs this series. Apparently another BBC reality show veteran that took his opportunity and yet another one I've never heard of. 

Vicky Pattison: So well known for being on multiple reality shows? And another one I don't know so guess wait and see. 

Stephan Dennis: Oh at last someone well known and a fan base to match. I'm actually surprised he's not been considered before! Probably go further than he should though. And of course you all probably all forgotten he did have a rather brief musical career. Here, in all its glory for you to enjoy:

Also available from ebay.

[Cleoriff]

@sheepdog 

I did think it was really weird that you hadn't posted last night and wondered whether the VM/O2 sign in had got you the second time around 😂

I'm in agreement about La Voix. Obviously hoping for Johannes as he's so popular.

Stefan said when interviewed, that it will be good to play himself (without the Paul Robinson artificial leg) 😂

[RunrigForever]

I don't know of the three celebs revealed today.

Hope tomorrow's three will be someone I know of.

Looking forward to the show, though.

[Cleoriff]

Friday 15th 

Final three celebrities announced

ROSS KING is the 13th Celebrity. 

Ross can be seen daily on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine as their Los Angeles Correspondent. He is a four-time News Emmy winner who has hosted more than 30 television series since his first radio broadcast at 15 and television debut at 17.

For US network television, Ross was a World Judge on CBS’ The World’s Best, hosted The Hollywood Christmas Parade, The Critics Choice Movie Awards Red Carpet and for six years was the Entertainment Anchor on Los Angeles’ KTLA, winning four News Emmys and a Golden Mic Award. Ross was awarded an MBE in 2018 for services to broadcasting, the arts and charity. Ross has also written three novels with Shari Low, The Rise, The Catch and The Fall, and has written for television comedy shows, stage plays and films.

[Cleoriff]

KAREN CARNEY is the 14th contestant. 

Karen Carney is a former footballer who played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Birmingham City and England, and is now the lead female pundit for both men's and women's football, across TNT and ITV.

With 144 caps, Karen is England’s third most-capped player, competing at four World Cups, four European Championships and the London Olympics before retiring in 2019. Aside from her incredible playing and broadcast career, Karen has secured a name for herself as a trailblazer in the advancement of women in sport. In 2022 she began leading a landmark government review with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, into the ‘Future of Women’s Football’ in the UK.

[Cleoriff]

KRISTIAN NAIRN is the 15th and final celebrity.

Kristian Nairn is an internationally renowned actor, DJ and creative force who has spent over two decades at the forefront of music and entertainment. Kristian is best known for his unforgettable portrayal of Hodor in HBO’s global phenomenon Game of Thrones, a role that earned him a devoted international following and created one of the most iconic and emotional moments in recent TV history. Kristian is also known to millions around the world for his role as Wee John Feeney in two series of the HBO comedy Our Flag Means Death.