STRICTLY bosses have revealed the much-anticipated list of pros who’ll be taking to the dancefloor on this year’s series.
Returning to the show are Katya Jones, Jowita Pryzstal and Kai Widdrington as well as last year’s winner Dianne Buswell, who took home the glitterball with her sensational celebrity partner, comedian Chris McCausland.
![For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers during their “rom-com-inspired” routine at the start of Sunday’s results show. Issue date: Sunday October 6, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly Professionals. Photo credit should read: Kieron McCarron/VBBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not […]](https://www.occasionaldigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Strictly-reveal-2025-pro-dancer-line-up-with-TWO.jpg)
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As revealed exclusively by The Sun yesterday, Johannes Radebe is returning after he managed to align his packed diary with the four-month show starting in September.
The South African had been poised to quit as his huge popularity saw him swamped with work this year.
His projects include a seven-month tour of stage show Kinky Boots: The Musical as well as turning his life story into a movie.
Nadiya Bychkova, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Gorka Márquez, Karen Hauer, Lauren Oakley, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin and Vito Coppola are all returning for the 2025 series.
While the lineup remains the same as last year, there will be two new pros joining whose identities will be revealed nearer to the series’ launch.
Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios says: “The excitement is already building ahead of the new series and in addition to welcoming back our fantastic returning Pros, we are looking forward to welcoming two brand new Professional Dancers to the line up who will help bring another unforgettable series of dazzling dance and loads more besides to viewers later in 2025.”
We revealed yesterday how Johannes held lengthy talks over his future as bosses battled to keep him onboard.
A TV insider said: “Johannes’s big issue was how to juggle all his work commitments beyond Strictly with taking part in the show itself.
“Although he always wants to be a part of the contest, he found himself in a difficult situation at the end of 2024 because he has so many projects coming up over a 12-month period.
“Strictly bosses were concerned he might not be able to commit to returning to the show — but after lengthy discussion with Johannes, both show bosses and the dancer can now make it work.”
Despite his growing fame, show chiefs feel he lacks the ego that’s plagued some stars in the past.
A source added: “Above anything else, they felt that he hadn’t quite reached the stage that so many other pros get to where they are perceived as being bigger than the programme.
“He’s very much still viewed as being one of the family of pros and hasn’t had any special treatment in agreeing to make his return.”
The pro lineup reveal follows judge Craig Revel Horwood‘s astonishing swipe at his co-stars during the opening night of his theatre tour: Revelations: Songs Boys Don’t Sing.
The star, 60, blasted Shirley Ballas, 64, Anton Du Beke, 58, and Motsi Mabuse, 43, and claimed he alone was behind the show’s continuing success.
In a comment writing off original head judge Len Goodman and axed Arlene Phillips, acid-tongued Craig said: “There is no other judge. I created it. They are either dead or have been sacked.”
Playing up to his notoriety, he added: “I get booed heavily but I enjoy playing the villain.”
Craig, a Strictly veteran of 21 years, pulled no punches and even tool aim at the BBC for making him change the name of his third autobiography.
He was barred from calling it Strictly Confidential because it used the word Strictly and had to make do with In Strictest Confidence.
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All your Strictly Come Dancing winners
Strictly first kicked off back in 2004, and over the years has crowned 21 winners.