By Meghna Amin
The excitement for Strictly Come Dancing’s new season is mounting, with speculation rife about the celebs set to sashay onto the 2025 line-up.
Despite recent scandals shaking up the show, including Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima stepping down as professionals and Wynne Evans being dropped from the live tour, fans are eagerly anticipating the dance competition’s return to our screens.
The professional dancer roster has been locked in, featuring last year’s glitterball champion Dianne Buswell (who triumphed alongside Chris McCausland) and a stellar cast including Amy Dowden, Nikita Kuzmin, Katya Jones, and Gorka Marquez.
While the BBC hasn’t spilled the beans on the celebrity contestants yet, whispers of potential stars are circulating.
Stacey Solomon
Ex-Loose Women star Stacey Solomon is rumoured to have caught the attention of the Strictly Come Dancing chiefs.
“Stacey is a hit with viewers thanks to her lovable personality. The BBC always want to showcase their own talent on Strictly, and Stacey’s show has already bagged them an NTA,” an insider divulged to The Sun.
“Fans will also love watching her husband Joe Swash in the audience cheering her on every week.”
The X Factor icon has previously mentioned she would “never say never” to joining Strictly, despite confessing she’s not the best on the dance floor.
“I’d be one of those people who would go out in week 1, and they’d be like, ‘Well, that was a waste of time!'” she joked.
Angellica Bell
Former Celebrity Big Brother contestant, Angellica Bell, has found her name swirling in the rumour mill for the Strictly 2025 line-up.
The star, who was reportedly let go from The Martin Lewis Money Show back in 2023, is said to be eager for a fresh start.
“Angellica has been very vocal about her desire to be on Strictly,” an insider revealed to The Sun.
“Her confidence took a hit after the whole Martin Lewis saga, but she’s bounced back since her stint on Celebrity Big Brother.
“She’s keen to seize every opportunity and isn’t shy about expressing her ambitions.
“She’s hugely energetic and will throw herself into training. Strictly bosses think she’ll be a great fit.”
Love Island champion and daughter of EastEnders star Danny Dyer, Dani Dyer, is also rumoured to be joining the dance floor this year.
After tying the knot with footballer Jarrod Bowen, it looks set to be a whirlwind year for the mother-of-three.
An insider told The Sun: “The showrunners are delighted she’s agreed to participate and are finalising her fee.
“She’s bubbly, down-to-earth and straight-talking and producers reckon she’ll make an ideal contestant – not to mention the bonus of having Jarrod and dad Danny in the audience supporting her.”
Tom Parker Bowles
Tom Parker Bowles, son of Queen Camilla, is reportedly high on the wish list for the Strictly bosses.
The 50-year-old food critic and writer is no stranger to television, having made appearances on MasterChef, Market Kitchen and ITV’s Food Glorious Food.
A source revealed to The Mirror: “Top of their wishlist is MasterChef star Tom. His name was also sounded out last year but never materialised. Bosses hope they’ll have better luck this year.
“It would be a coup to sign someone with such a strong royal link. Maybe we could see Camilla and Charles in the audience?”
Ashley Cain
Ex on the Beach’s Ashley Cain is another name rumoured to be joining the Strictly line-up this year.
“He’s a proper character with a very interesting background that looks the part,” an insider told The Mirror.
“He would be a great addition to the Strictly lineup. He’s presented a couple of shows and has really impressed.”
The reality star has previously expressed his desire to participate in Strictly as a tribute to his late daughter Azaylia, who tragically passed away at just eight months old in 2021 after battling leukaemia.
Ashley shared with The Sun how he used to dance “for hours and hours” while cradling Azaylia in the hospital and would love to perform a Lion King-themed dance in her memory.
Sir Mo Farah
Sir Mo Farah was one of the first names to surface in the line-up rumours, with sources suggesting talks were at an “early stage” last month.
In an attempt to restore Strictly to its pre-scandal glory days, an insider claimed the “national treasure” would resonate with viewers.
They disclosed to The Sun: “His personality would provide the perfect tonic to the toxicity that’s overshadowed Strictly.
“Bosses would love to sign him up but the talks are at a very early stage.”
Paul C Brunson
Married At First Sight expert and podcast host Paul C Brunson is the latest name to be tossed into the Strictly Come Dancing speculation pot.
After winning hearts on Celebs Go Dating and teaming up with Amanda Holden for Netflix’s Cheat: Unfinished Business, whispers suggest he might cha-cha his way onto the dance floor.
A source spilled the tea to The Sun: “Paul would be the ideal tonic to the dark clouds over Strictly as he’s clean-cut, very intelligent and has no scandals to worry about.”
They added: “Everyone is hoping he’ll sign on the dotted line and is keen to make it happen.”
Gladiators’ Nitro
In other sizzling Strictly news, after the sensation caused by Gladiator Fire, who dazzled alongside Johannes Radebe last season, rumours are rife that Nitro has inked a deal to join in the sequin-studded fun.
The ex-Olympic sprinter, whose real name is Harry Aikines Aryeetey, already stunned fans by appearing in the Christmas special.
A source has now said: “Bosses have been desperate to get Nitro on the series for a while.
“They were in talks last year but couldn’t get the timings to marry up with his work.
“He was a huge hit at Christmas prancing around in lycra and showing off his biceps.”
They added to The Sun: “The Gladiators’ fanbase is growing, and kids love them, so he’ll be a hit with younger viewers, too.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year