As it happenedended

Strictly Come Dancing 2025 launch show – live: Thomas Skinner paired with Amy Dowden as new celebrity cast perform for first time

Lewis Cope was drafted in after ‘Game of Thrones’ star Kristian Nairn dropped out of the competition

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Strictly Come Dancing's Thomas Skinner makes confession to new partner Amy Dowden

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It’s time to dust off your dancing shoes and brush up on your cha-cha-chas because Strictly Come Dancing 2025 is back!

This year’s series has kicked off on BBC One with the dance competition’s annual pre-recorded launch programme. Celebrity pairings include former Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden, Ru Paul’s Drag Race star La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec, and model Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola.

Other contestants who joined the show include Love Island winner Dani Dyer, ER star Alex Kingston, TikTok personality George Clarke, Geordie Shore’s Vicky Pattison and Dutch footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, among others.

One star who won’t be appearing is Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn, who withdrew from the competition on 21 August due to medical issues. He was quickly replaced by Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope, who proved to be a standout dancer during the first group performance, alongside his partner Katya Jones.

Another strong contender this year appears to be Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, AKA “Nitro”, and his pro partner Karen Hauer, who impressed fans during the first dance.

We’ll see you back here for the first live show, which starts at 6.55pm next Saturday.

Recap the live updates from Saturday night’s launch show, below...

Strictly is here!

Welcome to our Strictly launch live blog! We’ll be with you all day in the lead up to the new series, and will be providing you with all the updates you need during tonight’s episode.

Jacob Stolworthy20 September 2025 10:12

Strictly 2025 timings

Here are all the details you need to know about tonight’s launch show.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025 start date confirmed – and we don’t have to wait long

Full line-up of celebrity contestants has been revealed ahead of the series’ return

Jacob Stolworthy20 September 2025 10:32

This year’s Strictly lineup

Find the rundown of every celebrity taking part in Strictly 2025 here:

Jacob Stolworthy20 September 2025 10:55

A brief history of the Strictly scandals

For all the cheerful smiles and dazzling routines, StrictlyCome Dancing’s wholesome brand has been threatened by a string of allegations associated with the show in recent years.

Catch up on all the allegations and events that have unfolded since 2023:

All the scandals that have threatened Strictly’s future

Find out all of the allegations and events that have unfolded since 2023

Jacob Stolworthy20 September 2025 11:21

It's time to meet this year's contestants

First up: find out what you need to know about Lewis Cope, the Emmerdale star who stepped in to replace Kristian Nairn after the Game of Thrones actor withdrew from the competition.

Meet Lewis Cope: Strictly’s last-minute contestant and star of Emmerdale

‘Emmerdale’ star swooped in to replace Kristian Nairn after actor withdrew from the series

Ellie Muir20 September 2025 13:12

Next up... meet Karen Carney

She is England’s third most-capped player of all time, but will she have what it takes to win over the Strictly judges?

England footballer Karen Carney’s journey from the pitch to the Strictly dance floor

Carney is England’s third most-capped player of all time

Ellie Muir20 September 2025 14:15

First look at tonight's show!

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s happening in tonight’s pre-recorded episode – including photos of the professional’s routine and Chris and Dianne’s waltz.

Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland’s prize-winning waltz from last year’s series (CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy)

Ellie Muir20 September 2025 14:27

Meet Ross King, ITV's Los Angeles correspondent

Ross King is best known for dishing out the Hollywood gossip on ITV’s various daytime TV shows. Will his dancing finesse match up to his presenting skills?

Ellie Muir20 September 2025 15:12

Stefan Dennis: From memorable Neighbours villain to Strictly 2025 star

Stefan Dennis was one of Neighbours’ longest-serving stars, playing Ramsay Street’s villainous businessman Paul Robinson in its very first episode in March 1985.

Find out everything you need to know about him below...

Ellie Muir20 September 2025 16:14

Chris McCausland is back tonight!

You might want to get the tissues at the ready, because last year’s winners Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell will dance their prize-winning waltz to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” on tonight’s programme.

The waltz won this year’s public-voted Bafta TV memorable moment award, and scored a perfect 40 from the judges on last year’s series.

Meanwhile, pop star Jessie J will perform, marking one of her first major appearances since undergoing breast cancer surgery earlier this month.

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