Strictly Come Dancing 2025 professional dancers: Verdict as Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon join line-up
Here's everything you need to know about the Strictly pros...
It won't be long now until Strictly Come Dancing kicks off for 2025.
We're still waiting for the official line-up to be confirmed, with the likes of MAFS UK expert Paul C. Brunson, Angellica Bell and Georgia Toffolo said to be waltzing onto the dance floor for the 23rd season, but we do know who they'll be dancing with!
The Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer line-up has been confirmed for this year, with two new pros joining.
So You Think You Can Dance star Alexis Warr and Australia’s Dancing With The Stars pro Julian Caillon were announced as the newest dancers for the BBC One show.
"Please welcome our two new Strictly Professional Dancers! Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon join the #Strictly Come Dancing family when the series returns this autumn on @BBCiPlayer," read a caption alongside a photo of the duo on the BBC Twitter account.
They'll join the likes of Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, who were previously confirmed to be returning to the ballroom.
As wait for the new series to kick off, read on for everything you need to know about the pros including our verdict on the newbies.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 professional dancer line-up
- Alexis Warr
- Julian Caillon
- Dianne Buswell
- Nadiya Bychkova
- Amy Dowden
- Karen Hauer
- Katya Jones
- Neil Jones
- Nikita Kuzmin
- Gorka Marquez
- Luba Mushtuk
- Jowita Przystal
- Johannes Radebe
- Aljaž Škorjanec
- Kai Widdrington
- Nancy Xu
- Carlos Gu
- Lauren Oakley
- Michelle Tsiakkas
- Vito Coppola
For more on the pros, keep scrolling...
Alexis Warr
Age: 25
Instagram: alexis_warr
American-born dancer Alexis is best known for winning the 2022 series of So Yo Think You Can Dance. She was crowned 'America's Favourite Dancer' becoming the first female ballroom and Latin dancer to earn the title.She has performed as a guest professional dancer and in the dance troupe on the US version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars, and has been part of the series' accompanying US tour for the past three years. Given her credentials, Alexis could have a very successful career on Strictly.
Julian Caillon
Age: 29
Instagram: julian_caillon
Julian Caillon has been dancing since the age of 10! He was born in Australia and specialises in ballroom and Latin American, going on to represent Australia on the international stage. He appeared as a professional dancer on three seasons of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars, has toured the globe with hit dance show Burn The Floor, and also competed on So You Think You Can Dance in Australia. Another strong addition to the already very skilled pro line-up.
Dianne Buswell
Age: 36
Instagram: diannebuswell
Dianne Buswell is an Australian dancer. She joined the BBC One show in 2017 and was partnered with Reverend Richard Coles for her first series. She got her first win in 2024 with Chris McCausland. Could it be two wins in a row for Di?
Nadiya Bychkova
Age: 35
Instagram: nadiyabychkova
Nadiya Bychkova is a Ukrainian ballroom and Latin American dancer who is a multiple-time Slovenian Ballroom and Latin Champion and two-time World and European Champion in '10' Dance. She joined Strictly in 2017. She's never won the show with her celebrity partner, but her most successful partnership was with Davood Ghadami in her debut year, with the pair reaching the quarter-finals.
Amy Dowden
Age: 34
Instagram: amy_dowden
Amy Dowden MBE is a Welsh professional ballroom and Latin American dancer from Caerphilly, Wales. Dowden joined the series in 2017, and in 2019, she was a finalist in the 17th series with TV presenter Karim Zeroual.
Karen Hauer
Age: 43
Instagram: karenhauer
Karen Hauer is a Venezuelan-American professional dancer, choreographer and World Mambo Champion. She is currently the longest serving pro on the BBC One show, having joined in 2012. She's yet to win the main show, but did win a Children in Need special with athlete Lutalo Muhammad. She also reached the final of the main show with Mark Wright in 2014 and Jamie Laing in 2020.
Katya Jones
Age: 36
Instagram: katyajones
Katya Jones is a Russian dancer and choreographer. She joined Strictly in 2016 and was partnered with politician Ed Balls. She won the competition in 2017 with her dance partner Joe McFadden and made history as part of the show's first same-sex pairing in 2020 with boxer Nicola Adams.
Neil Jones
Age: 43
Instagram: mr_njonesofficial
Neil Jones is a British dancer and choreographer. He joined Strictly in 2016 and his highest placement was in 2019 with Alex Scott - they reached the quarter-final. Neil was previously married to Katya, but they split in August 2019 after six years of marriage. He's now engaged to former Love Island star Chyna Mills, whom he shares a daughter with.
Nikita Kuzmin
Age: 27
Instagram: nikita__kuzmin
Nikita Kuzmin is a Ukranian dancer and choreographer. He joined Strictly in 2021, as part of the new line-up for the 19th season. He also took part on the 2024 season of Celebrity Big Brother. Nikita hasn't won Strictly yet, but he reached the final with Layton Williams in 2023 and placed runners-up to Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola.
Gorka Marquez
Age: 34
Instagram: gorka_marquez
Gorka Marquez is a Spanish professional dancer. He has been a a part of the show since the 14th season in 2016. He reached the final twice, with Alexandra Burke in 2017 and Maisie Smith in 2020, although he's yet to take home the Glitterball. He's engaged to Gemma Atkinson who he met on the BBC One show in 2017, and they have two children together.
Luba Mushtuk
Age: 35
Instagram: lubamushtuk
Luba Mushtuk is a Russian-British dancer and choreographer. She originally joined the show as an assistant choreographer in 2016, before becoming a pro dancer in 2018. She's yet to lift the Glitterball trophy.
Jowita Przystal
Age: 30
Instagram: jowitaprzystal
Jowita Przystal is a Polish ballroom dancer. She appeared on The Greatest Dancer in 2020, which she won. She joined Strictly the year later and got her first win in 2022 with TV presenter Hamza Yassin. A very strong start!
Johannes Radebe
Age: 38
Instagram: johannesradebe
South African dancer and choreographer has been a pro dancer on Strictly since 2018, although he wasn't given a celebrity partner until the year after. Johannes is yet to lift the coveted trophy, but he did make history as part of the first same-sex male partnership in 2021 with John Whaite. The duo made it all the way to the final and finished runners-up.
Aljaž Škorjanec
Age: 35
Instagram: aljazskorjanec
Aljaž Škorjanec is a Slovenian dancer and choreographer. He's worked on the show from 2013 to 2021 and then since 2024. He's married to Janette Manrara, who previously worked as a pro on Strictly before leaving to host the after show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
Kai Widdrington
Age: 29
Instagram: kaiwidd
Kai Widdrington is an English dancer and choreographer. In 2010, he was the Junior World Latin American champion. In 2012, he reached the final of the sixth series of Britain's Got Talent. He joined Strictly in 2021, and reached the final with AJ Odudu who sadly had to pull out due to an injury. He has, however, won the Christmas special twice - once in 2022 with Alexandra Mardell and again in 2024 with Tayce.
Carlos Gu
Age: 32
Instagram: gkx_carlos
Carlos Gu is a Chinese choreographer and dancer. He had a small role in the BBC's Waterloo Road, but he's best known for joining Strictly in 2022. He reached the final with his partner Molly Rainford that year, and finished in sixth place with Angela Scanlon the year after. He didn't have a celebrity partner in 2024, although he was still a part of the group dances. Could this be Carlos' year?
Lauren Oakley
Age: 34
Instagram: laurenmayoakley
Lauren Oakley ia British choreographer and dancer. She joined the 20th series of Strictly in 2022 and reached the final with JB Gill.
Michelle Tsiakkas
Age: 29
Instagram: michelle_tsiak
Michelle Tsiakkas is a Cypriot-Sri-Lankan professional ballroom and Latin dancer. She joined Strictly in 2022 and was paired with EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick. They were ninth couple to be eliminated.
Vito Coppola
Age: 32
Instagram: vitocoppola
Vito Coppola is an Italian dancer and choreographer. He joined Strictly in 2022. Vito has had a good run on the BBC One show so far. In 2022 he was partnered with Fleur East and they finished runners up. The year after, he won the show with Ellie Leach, so he's big competition for Julian and Alexis.
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