Strictly Come Dancing 2025 latest: Karen Carney tops week one leaderboard as judges announce major show change
The Class of 2025 are performing live for the first time
It’s time to sparkle and groove – Strictly Come Dancing 2025 has waltzed back onto our televisions!
Following on from last week’s launch programme, which revealed celebrity pairings including former Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden, tonight is the first live show of 2025.
Fans have already had their fair share of surprises this season, with ex-Love Island winner Amber Davies stepping in to replace Dani Dyer who was forced to quit the series due to a fractured ankle.
Some viewers, however, have taken issue with the 28-year-old’s past dancing experience. Davies is a trained West End performer, having starred in stage adaptations of Pretty Woman and Back to the Future.
It is the second sudden switch-up of the season, after Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn withdrew due to medical conditions. He was quickly replaced by Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope, who proved to be a standout dancer during the launch show’s group performance last week. See here for a full list of the contestants.
Tonight’s episode, which has been broadcasting on BBC One since 6.55pm, is seeing the 15 contestants dance with their professional partners for the first time.
Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke are back on the judging panel.
First look: Strictly judges to hit the dance floor on Saturday’s show
Strictly pro Amy Dowden speaks out after controversial pairing with Thomas Skinner
Strictly Come Dancing star upset after being ‘left out’ of 2025 series
Strictly viewers are convinced they know who will win 2025 series
Meet Amber Davies: The last-minute Strictly contestant rushed in to replace Dani Dyer after ankle injury
Follow along with all the live updates ahead of the show below…
This year’s Strictly lineup
Find the rundown of every celebrity taking part in Strictly 2025 here:
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 couples – full list of celebrities and their partners
Everything you missed last week
Haven’t had a chance to catch up on last Saturday’s launch programme? See below for a full rundown of the episode as it happened...
Strictly 2025 launch reveals celebrity and dancer pairings – live
Meet this year’s most controversial contestant
After rising to prominence on the 15th series of The Apprentice in 2019, Skinner gained a significant social media following and developed his catchphrase “bosh”.
He now runs several businesses, such as a gym and a mattress company, and has appeared on numerous TV shows, including Celebrity MasterChef, 8 Out of 10 Cats and The Wheel. So what makes him so controversial?
Thomas Skinner: The controversial Strictly star who rose to fame on The Apprentice
What dancing experience does Amber Davies have?
The announcement of Amber Davies as Dani Dyer’s replacement has ruffled some feathers, with some viewers complaining that the former reality TV star has too much dancing experience.
A year after Davies left Love Island it was announced she would make her West End debut as office girl July Bernly in the Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5, alongside Louise Redknapp.
Davies, who has a diploma in Professional Musical Theatre and Dance, went on to land roles in further West End shows, including Bring It On, Back to the Future and Pretty Woman, in which she played the lead role of Vivian Ward.
Next year, she will play Reese Witherspoon’s role of Elle Woods in a Legally Blonde musical, which will tour across the UK and Ireland.
While Davies professional dance training may help her with rhythm and flexibility when it comes to learning some Strictly routines, the ballroom and latin techniques are sure to still put her through her paces.
The actor has only just started rehearsals with Kuzmin but they will still be joining the other Strictly couples to take to the dancefloor and perform a Waltz tonight.
What time is tonight's show?
The start times for Strictly will vary across the season. Tonight’s first live show will begin at 6.55pm on BBC One, and is expected to wrap up at 9.35pm after all 15 couples perform.
A timeline of Strictly scandals
For a wholesome BBC dance competition, Strictly has been rocked by its fair share of scandals – shedding light on some very serious issues within the programme.
See here for a complete timeline of all the times the series has made headlines for the wrong reasons...
All the scandals that have threatened Strictly’s future
Love is in the air!
Strictly star Pete Wicks has “confirmed” a romance with his former dance partner Jowita Przystal.
The Only Way is Essex star was partnered with Przystal on last year’s series while he was dating Love Island’s Maura Higgins, and the pair struck up a close friendship during their months on the show – which has now seemingly evolved into something more.
Strictly stars ‘confirm’ romance one year after competing on show
Strictly fans unhappy over Amy Dowden pairing
Some Strictly fans were not pleased about the pairing of much-loved pro Amy Dowden with controversial star Thomas Skinner.
Some viewers have highlighted how the spotlight on Skinner’s participation in the series may have an impact on Dowden’s longevity in this year’s competition, while others suggested that the dancer’s popularity among fans may help Skinner’s chances.
Dowden was unable to compete in the last two seasons of Strictly as she was receiving cancer treatment in 2023 and suffered a subsequent foot injury that saw her withdraw from last year’s competition.
Read more below...
Strictly fans express frustration over controversial pairing
What has Amy Dowden said about being paired with Thomas Skinner?
While their pairing has raised eyebrows, with some fans worried that Skinner’s controversial persona will impact Dowden’s chances to win, the professional dancer seems unbothered herself.
After the launch show aired on Saturday (20 September), Dowden said it had been nice getting to know Skinner, whom she called “really lovely, bubbly and full of life”.
She also thanked Skinner for a great week of rehearsals and said she has been laughing lots in his company.
“The news is out! @iamtomskinner and I are excited and working hard rrrrrready for the first live show next Saturday!” she wrote.
“Tom is working so hard and is loving learning to dance (more than he ever imagined). We are laughing lots too!
Dowden continued: “Thanks for a great week and so looking forward to our Strictly journey ahead! Let’s do this.”
Time to place your bets...
The series is yet to properly begin and already fans have their thoughts on who will take home the Glitterball Trophy!
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