Game of Thrones star rounds off Strictly line-up
2 hours agoPaul GlynnCulture reporter
BBCGame of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn, who played the much-loved character Hodor, has rounded off the list of names to appear on Strictly’s 23rd series.
He is joined by football pundit and former England player Karen Carney and ITV presenter Ross King.
All 15 celebrities have now been revealed for this year’s edition of the popular television dance contest , which will air on BBC One and iPlayer from September to December.
Here is the full line-up:
Kristian Nairn
Game of Thrones star and DJ Kristian Nairn was named as the 15th and final celebrity dancer, on Friday.
He is best known for playing Hodor – the guileless servant of House Stark – in HBO’s fantasy drama Game of Thrones.
He also portrayed Wee John Feeney in the US TV period comedy drama Our Flag Means Death.
As a house music DJ, the Northern Irishman, 49, has performed in big Ibiza nightclubs and alongside the likes of Steve Aoki and Fatboy Slim.
“This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it,” he said of Strictly. “It’s a surreal and wonderful opportunity to shed one of my left feet!”
Karen Carney
Pundit and former Lioness Karen Carney will swap the football stadium for the dancefloor, it was confirmed on Vernon Kay’s BBC Radio 2 show.
Carney, who played for Arsenal and Chelsea, now provides analysis on men’s and women’s matches for TNT and ITV.
As England’s third most-capped player, she played in four World Cups and four European Championships as well as the London Olympics, before retiring in 2019.
She was awarded an OBE in 2024, for services to association football.
The 38-year-old also co-hosts the Long Story Short podcast with fellow England star and Strictly alumni Jill Scott.
She said it was “a dream come true” to be a part of this year’s line-up. “I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.”
Ross King
Ross King announced himself as the 13th contestant live on ITV’s Lorraine show on Friday.
The four-time News Emmy winner is seen on the show daily, as well as Good Morning Britain, covering all things LA.
The Scotsman, 63, has hosted more than 30 television series since his small-screen debut as a teenager, and for six years he was the enterainment anchor on Los Angeles station KTLA.
He was awarded an MBE in 2018 for services to broadcasting, the arts and charity.
On joining Strictly, the presenter – who has also written three novels – said: “I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly – try not to step on too many toes!”
Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis is most famous for playing Paul Robinson in Neighbours, Australia’s longest-running TV drama series.
He’s also appeared in more than 6,000 episodes during the 40 years it was on air, and prior to that, he worked on Australian programmes including Prisoner Cell Block H, The Henderson Kids, The Sullivans, Young Doctors and Sons and Daughters.
He has also appeared on UK TV, including dramas The Bill, Dream Team, River City and Casualty as well as starring in the West End musical Blood Brothers.
“This is an opportunity for me to once again learn to step out of my comfort zone in the world of television,” he said. “Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.”
Vicky Pattison
Vicky Pattison is a TV presenter, author, podcast and radio host.
After starting her TV career in 2011 on reality TV show Geordie Shore, she went on to win I’m a Celebrity and has remained a fixture on British screens, with presenting roles across MTV, ITV, Channel 5, Channel 4 and TLC.
Off-screen, Pattison has authored multiple memoirs and novels and is a campaigner for women’s health and emotional wellbeing.
“I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing lineup… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified. I am a not a natural dancer!” she said. “However, it’s such an amazing opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone and to challenge myself in a completely new way.”
Thomas Skinner
Thomas Skinner first hit TV screens on The Apprentice in 2019, and has since appeared on shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Wheel, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Good Morning Britain and Faking It, alongside Celebrity Masterchef.
Skinner is also known for his social media videos, runs a number of small businesses, including a gym, and is a regular on TalkSport Radio.
From Romford, the 34-year-old recently met US Vice-President JD Vance for a barbecue and drinks, with Skinner describing the event as “once in a lifetime”.
Skinner said he was “beyond excited” to be joining Strictly, adding: “I’ve tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping onto the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff! ”
Ellie Goldstein
In May 2023, Ellie Goldstein became the first model with Down’s syndrome to feature on the cover of British Vogue, and also made history in similar fashion by leading a campaign for Gucci.
Earlier this year, the 23-year-old joined the cast of BBC children’s period drama Malory Towers – based on the books by Enid Blyton – playing Nancy.
She becomes the first star with Down’s syndrome to take part in a regular series of the dance show, following in the footsteps of TV presenter George Webster, who was a contestant on the 2022 Strictly Christmas special.
The east Londoner told BBC Breakfast she was “honoured and excited” to be joining Strictly, adding: “I know it’s going to be challenging, but I’m ready to do it with the glitter and glamour and make some magic on that dancefloor.”
La Voix
La Voix became a fan favourite last year while finishing as a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
The cabaret singer and entertainer is no stranger to the small screen, having also appeared on ITV’s Queens For The Night and been a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent.
“I’ve performed for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, but nothing fills me with more excitement (and quite a bit of terror) than the thought of dancing in front of millions on live Saturday night TV,” she said.
La Voix is the alter ego of Chris Dennis, 45, who says he also wants viewers to get to know the man behind the drag act.
Chris Robshaw
Former England and Harlequins rugby captain Robshaw, 39, was revealed on Scott Mills’ BBC Radio 2 breakfast show on Wednesday.
He earned 66 caps for his country, leading them to a Six Nations Grand Slam victory in 2016.
“This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets!” he said of joining Strictly.
“I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class. Let’s see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha.”
George Clarke
YouTuber and podcaster George Clarke was revealed as the sixth celebrity contestant for this year’s contest on Radio 1 on Tuesday afternoon.
The British social media star – also known as George Clarkey – has millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
Known for his comedy clips, online commentary and viral videos, he also co-hosts The Useless Hotline Podcast with Max Balegde.
Speaking of his latest venture, Clarke said: “Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.”
Balvinder Sopal
Known to millions as Suki on EastEnders since 2019, Sopal is the fifth celebrity contestant to be announced for this year’s show.
Before EastEnders, she appeared in other programmes including Call The Midwife, Doctors and Waterloo Road.
“Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of,” said the 46-year-old.
Revealed in a broadcast live from Albert Square on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, Strictly’s fifth named contestant for this year said had already done ballroom and Latin dancing “as a hobby”.
“I think when you’ve got a passion for something, you’re naturally inclined to enjoy it,” she noted. “I’ll enjoy it but I don’t know if I’ll be any good.”
Dancing, Sopal went on to say, was about “telling the story with your feet and your body” as opposed to with words.
Alex Kingston
Getty ImagesThe English actress is known for starring in TV shows like hit US medical drama ER (playing Dr Elizabeth Corday from 1997 to 2004), Doctor Who (as River Song between 2008 and 2015) and 1996’s The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders (which earned her a Bafta nomination for playing the title role).
The 62-year-old has also appeared in films including Croupier and Boudica, and her stage credits range from playing Lady Macbeth opposite Sir Kenneth Branagh to Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
In a statement announcing her participation in Strictly, she said: “Aaaaagghhh!!!!!!”
Dani Dyer
Getty ImagesDani Dyer shot to fame when she starred on Love Island in 2018, winning the reality TV show with Jack Fincham. They split later that year, and she married West Ham striker Jarrod Bowen this May.
“Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year!” the 29-year-old said. “I feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.”
She is also known for teaming up with her dad, actor Danny Dyer, for a string of projects including podcasts Sorted with the Dyers and Live and Let Dyers, and travelogue series Absolutely Dyer: Danny and Dani Do Italy.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
PA MediaThe Dutch footballer was one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League in the late 1990s with Leeds United, and with Chelsea in the early 2000s. He won 23 caps for the Netherlands.
He has gone on to manage clubs including Queens Park Rangers, Northampton Town and Burton Albion, and was a coach for the England national side alongside Gareth Southgate.
“Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge!” said Hasselbaink, 53. “Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.”
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Aikines-Aryeetey is a former Team GB sprinter and was the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100m and 200m at the World Youth Championships. In 2005, aged 17, he was won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.
He has competed at two Olympic Games and is a three-time European champion and two-time Commonwealth champion.
In 2023, he was unveiled as Nitro in Gladiators, and took part in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special partnered with Nancy Xu.
“I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series and I’m ready to give it all I’ve got,” the 36-year-old said.
Two new professional dancers are also joining the line-up this year – Alexis Warr, who won US dance series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022, and Australian-born Julian Caillon, who has appeared as a professional dancer on three seasons of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars.
Last year’s series was won by comedian Chris McCausland, who became the programme’s first blind victor, with dance partner Dianne Buswell.
But the show, which has been airing since 2004, has also faced a number of controversies over the past year relating to the behaviour of some of its professional dancers and celebrity guests.
Last week, the BBC launched an investigation into alleged drug use by two Strictly stars, who have not been named, after The Sun on Sunday reported alleged cocaine use.
Meanwhile, professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima left the show last year following allegations about their behaviour towards their dance partners.
The BBC announced new welfare measures for Strictly last July. These include having chaperones in all rehearsal rooms, adding two new welfare producers and providing additional training for the professional dancers, production team and crew.