The glittering spectacle of Strictly Come Dancing relies heavily on its world-class professional dancers, and the 2025 series boasts a compelling mix of beloved favourites and thrilling new talent. These are the individuals who transform celebrity hopefuls into ballroom contenders through their expert choreography and dedicated coaching.
The Complete 2025 Professional Dancer Line-Up
The BBC has confirmed the full roster of professionals for the hit reality competition's twenty-third season. While viewers will recognise most of the returning faces, two new international dancers are set to make their mark on the famous floor.
The professional company for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 includes: Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden (who is returning from medical leave), Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Márquez, 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.
A significant and welcome return is that of Amy Dowden. She was forced to withdraw during the 2024 series due to a foot injury, which hospitalised her just before the Halloween episode and led to her exit from the competition with partner JB Gill. Lauren Oakley stepped in to replace her at the time.
Partners and New Additions for the 2025 Season
Not every professional in the company is paired with a celebrity each year. For the 2025 season, five established pros did not receive a partner: Neil Jones, Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Nancy Xu.
In an exciting development, both of the new professional dancers, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, were given celebrity partners straight away, indicating the show's high confidence in their abilities.
The current celebrity and professional pairings for Series 23 are as follows:
- Thomas Skinner & Amy Dowden - eliminated 1st
- Ross King & Jowita Przystał - eliminated 2nd
- Chris Robshaw & Nadiya Bychkova - eliminated 3rd
- Stefan Dennis & Dianne Buswell - withdrawn
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink & Lauren Oakley - eliminated 4th
- Ellie Goldstein & Vito Coppola - eliminated 5th
- Harry Aikines-Aryeetey & Karen Hauer - eliminated 6th
- Alex Kingston & Johannes Radebe
- Amber Davies & Nikita Kuzmin
- Balvinder Sopal & Julian Caillon
- George Clarke & Alexis Warr
- Karen Carney & Carlos Gu
- La Voix & Aljaž Škorjanec
- Lewis Cope & Katya Jones
- Vicky Pattison & Kai Widdrington
Meet the New Strictly Professionals
Alexis Warr, an American dancer, joins the show with an impressive pedigree. She is best known for winning the US series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022, where she was crowned ‘America’s Favourite Dancer’ and became the first female Ballroom and Latin specialist to claim the title. Warr has previously performed as a guest professional and in the dance troupe on Dancing With The Stars, the American version of Strictly, and has been part of its US tour for the past three years. Her credits also include appearances on America's Got Talent and World of Dance.
On her new role, Alexis 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.”
Julian Caillon hails from Australia and 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. Caillon has also toured globally with the hit show Burn The Floor and competed on the Australian edition of So You Think You Can Dance. Interestingly, he holds a degree in Exercise Physiology and works as a Personal Trainer and Exercise Physiologist alongside his dance career. He is also a keen athlete, having completed two triathlons in 2025.
Julian 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!”
With the competition heating up as it heads into its eighth week, all eyes are on which pair will master the cha-cha-challenge and who might face the dreaded dance-off next in the quest for the Glitterball Trophy.
