Cliff Notes – Strictly legend is making shock return after pro line-up is confirmed
- The BBC has announced the professional line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2025, featuring the return of Johannes Radebe and Amy Dowden, both of whom had uncertain statuses for the upcoming season.
- Reigning champion Dianne Buswell will also return, alongside a mix of familiar faces and two new professional dancers to be revealed later.
Strictly legend is making shock return after pro line-up is confirmed
BBC has confirmed the Strictly Come Dancing pro lineup (Picture: BBC)
The Strictly Come Dancing professional line-up has officially been announced for 2025.
The BBC’s hit Latin and ballroom competition will return later this year with a host of famous faces hoping to waltz their way to the Glitterball Trophy, with the celebrities set to be confirmed nearer the time.
Now, the Beeb has revealed the pro dancers who will be putting them through their paces, with Strictly legend Johannes Radebe making a surprise return.
Although he was part of the 2024 series paired with Gladiators star Montell Douglas (Fire), his status for the upcoming season was uncertain,
As well as playing Lola in the current UK tour of West End show Kinky Boots, his memoir JoJo: Finally Home is being adapted for the big screen.
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He’ll be part of the lineup alongside the returning returning Amy Dowden, who was forced to pull out of last year’s show just weeks in due to a foot injury.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 professional line-up
Johannes Radebe will be back on Strictly (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
As well as Johannes and Amy, Carlous Gu and Kai Widdrington are also back in the fold against missing out on partners in the 2024 series.
Reigning champion Dianne Buswell is set to return after lifting the trophy last year with Chris McCausland.
Also set to appear are Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Vito Coppola, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przysta, Aljaž Škorjanec Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas.
Amy Dowden is making a return to the ballroom floor (Picture: BBC)
2024 champion Dianne Buswell is back (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
There will also be two brand news pros, who will be revealed closer to the return after the summer.
Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios promised ‘another unforgettable series of dazzling dance and loads more’.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 full pro line-up
Aljaž Škorjanec
Amy Dowden
Carlos Gu
Dianne Buswell
Gorka Márquez
Johannes Radebe
Jowita Przystal
Kai Widdrington
Karen Hauer
Katya Jones
Lauren Oakley
Luba Mushtuk
Michelle Tsiakkas
Nadiya Bychkova
Nancy Xu
Neil Jones
Nikita Kuzmin
Vito Coppola
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, added: ‘The Strictly Professional Dancers are the beating heart of the programme, showcasing to viewers in every corner of the UK their world class talent by lighting up the famous Strictly ballroom every Saturday and Sunday night.’
Karen Hauer is Strictly’s longest serving pro (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Fans will be glad to see Karen back after previous speculation the show’s longest running pro could be facing in the axe.
Thankfully, that’s not the case, and the 42-year-old dancer – who joined in 2012 – recently opened up on being inspired by ‘younger female dancers’.
She said: ‘I’m the longest serving on the show, but new dancers don’t threaten me – I watch them and I learn from them. They inspire me and build my confidence.’
Dianne and Chris McCausland won in 2024 (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Meanwhile, there is no place in the Strictly 2025 lineup for Giovanni Pernice, who didn’t take part in last year’s series.
He found himself at the heart of a bullying scandal following a series of allegations made by former dance partner Amanda Abbington.
After a probe into the claims, the BBC issued an apology to the Sherlock star – upholding a number of points, but clearing Pernice of the most serious allegations.
There were no findings relating to physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, reported the PA news agency last year.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year.