But Judge Anton insisted it was not a problem as viewers always grow to love the line ups of long running BBC series
20:56, 16 Sep 2025Updated 20:56, 16 Sep 2025
Anton with Strictly hosts Tess and Claudia that he knows very well – unlike some of the celebs this year(Image: Joe Maher/Getty Images for the NTA’s)
TV judge Anton Du Beke has admitted that he does not recognise many of the stars picked for Strictly Come Dancing these days. Echoing public criticism that the BBC dance show’s line-up can sometimes lack a little lustre or the big names of previous years, he admitted the first time he would see some of them could be on the ballroom.
Anton said: “When I first started, we sort of knew them, but now as you get older… there are a number of people on the show that I am not familiar with.” Speaking of last year’s model contestant Tasha Ghouri, he added: “I mean last year, Tasha? I did not know Tasha. No, I don’t know a number of people on the show.”
But he has got used to being a bit baffled, as more online personalities are introduced onto the show, explaining: “You don’t know who they are, but that is normal.”
Anton admits he had no idea who Tasha Ghouri was (Image: PA)
He said of the 25-year-old YouTuber taking to the dancefloor for 2025: “There is that lovely boy George Clarke doing it this year. I thought it was the buildings fella, George Clarke the architect.”
And although he has now watched performances by the contestants who will be strutting their stuff on telly from this Saturday, he hasn’t seen enough to pick a winner.
Anton, 59, recalled how he was asked for an early opinion at the recording of the launch show and said: “They made it down the stairs unaided. I don’t know what you want me to say. Ask me next week when they have danced a bit.”
This year’s 15 celebrities include four reality TV stars: Vicky Pattison, 37, Thomas Skinner, 34, Dani Dyer, 29, and La Voix, 45. There are four sports stars too: sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, 37, footballers Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53, and Karen Carney, 38, and rugby union’s Chris Robshaw, 39.
A new crowd of celebrity faces will take to the dancefloor in a matter of weeks(Image: PA)
It is actors who make up the biggest group, with five: Stefan Dennis, 66, Alex Kingston, 62, Balvinder Sopal, 46, Ellie Goldstein, 23, and Lewis Cope, 30. There is also presenter Ross King, 63, and YouTuber George.
Speaking at an event to launch his new novel, Monte Carlo by Moonlight, Anton said he will soon be reading the celebrities’ body language. He said of judging: “As I sit ther,e I know exactly what has been going on. I can see by this routine what sort of a week you have had and I laugh.
“If they start at the top of the stairs and walk down, they have had a very difficult week, like they are wasting as much time as they can until they get on the floor and have to take hold. The waltz is always lovely to judge. You can always see how good and bad their week has been by how long they stay ‘in hold’.”
After years of grumbles that contestants with dance experience – such as Lewis Cope – have a head start, Anton conceded it is tru,e but that the advantage is only slight. “It will help them a bit. I have not seen many of those who have actually won.”
And he had some tips for the professionals, too. “Learn that it is not about you. I was always aware of that. It is not my name they say first. It is the celebrity’s name.” Anton, who has eight-year-old twins with wife Hannah, also urged BBC bosses to tweak the rules on voting.
This year voting via premium phone lines has been axed and instead viewers have a brief opportunity on Saturday nights to vote online. But Anton thinks voting should go on all week, as many Strictly Come Dancing fans catch up on iPlayer.
He said: “I remember when we started the show, you could vote all week. Now you have a little window, and that is a shame because some people can’t watch it on a Saturday night.
“They might be working or may go out. I would like people to be able to vote during the week as everyone is invested even if they watch it on catch-up, so give them the opportunity to vote.”
And as for the show’s enduring popularity as it enters its 23rd series, he said: “The show works because we re-cast it every year and now we have a couple of new pros. There is an extraordinary amount of enthusiasm for it. The room is always enthused and I think that transfers to people watching it.
“You can like it for different reasons. You can like it for the frocks, the group dances, the couples or want to see how people are getting on. You can like the judges – or not like the judges!”
* The launch show of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing is on at 6.40pm on Saturday on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer.
Thomas Skinner, who is a contestant on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, admitted he has made “big mistakes,” including cheating on his wife Sinead just weeks after their wedding
04:59, 16 Sep 2025Updated 05:06, 16 Sep 2025
Thomas Skinner is pictured at an award-ceremony after his The Apprentice stint(Image: Getty Images)
Thomas Skinner’s mistress has claimed the salesman told her she “was the love of his life” during their fling.
And Amy-Lucy has today again stressed the three-month fling was far more meaningful than Thomas, 34, had made out in his interview with reporters. Amy-Lucy, who lives near Brentwood, Essex, said: “Thomas told me I was the love of his life and sold me an absolute dream. He told me that he was in a loveless relationship of convenience.”
Thomas, who was on series 15 of The Apprentice in 2019, has claimed his wife has forgiven him, and the salesman said he and Sinead, who share three children, have “moved forward together”.
Amy-Lucy O’Rourke has hit out following Thomas’ claims(Image: instagram/amylucyclinic)
Thomas is on Strictly Come Dancing this year(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Amy-Lucy, though, has spoken out this week, claiming Thomas’ account of thing hasn’t quite been accurate. The beauty clinic boss told the Daily Mail she and Thomas were often out in public together and acted like a couple besotted with one another.
She added: “It makes me really angry that his narrative is that he told her. He did not tell her. I can’t believe he’s trying to make out that he did the honest thing. He did not, he tried to keep the lie up for weeks and was torturing me emotionally. He was playing me and Sinead off against each other. Telling me one thing, telling her another.”
And the dad of three has said he has become a “target”, and is “being portrayed a public enemy number 1” following the affair bombshells. In a lengthy statement on X, he wrote: “My life ain’t perfect…..far from it. I’ve made big mistakes, I’ve let people down, and done things I’ll always regret in my past.
“The worst was what I did to my wife three and a half years ago…..one stupid moment I’ll carry forever. It was nothing more and nothing less despite what is being said. I told her straight away. She had every right to leave me back then, but she forgave me…….and that forgiveness changed my life.
“Since then, we’ve built a new home, had two more beautiful children, and moved forward together. We are stronger. Family is everything to me. It’s what I do everything for.
“But I’ve noticed I’ve become a target. Every part of my life is being dragged out….. even my families. People around me have been offered BIG money to sell stories. And I’ve noticed I’m being portrayed as public enemy number 1. They’re trying to break me and get me cancelled.”
Love Island star Dani Dyer has confessed that some Strictly Come Dancing may be expecting to see her EastEnders star father taking part in the 2025 season rather than her
22:52, 14 Sep 2025Updated 22:52, 14 Sep 2025
Dani Dyer has admitted that some Strictly fans might be disappointed to see her on the show(Image: PA)
Dani Dyer has admitted fans may have been duped into thinking her father, Danny Dyer, is taking part in the upcoming new season of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 29-year-old reality star is most famous for being the daughter of EastEnders star Danny, 48, and his financial advisor wife Joanne Mas, 48, and for being a contestant on the 2018 season of Love Island. This winter, fans will see the mum-of-three take to the Strictly dance floor as one of the 2025 contestants.
However, the Love Island star – who married West Ham United footballer Jarrod Bowen, 28, in May – has admitted that some TV fans may be tuning in expecting to see her dad, rather than her, taking on the ambitious dance routines. She explained that this is down to the fact her name and her father’s are pronounced the same.
Her actor father, Danny Dyer, has been wowing fans in hit TV show – including Sky’s comedy series Mr Bigstuff(Image: Sky Max)
She told the Daily Mail: “A lot of people when they said Dani Dyer’s doing it, because it was on the radio they probably thought it was the other Danny Dyer.”
Speaking of her dad, she revealed there is one reality show she’d like to see him take part in – but she revealed he would refuse to do it, if asked. She said: “I would like to see him in the I’m A Celeb jungle but he says he never would go in the jungle.”
And she explained further: “He was like: ‘Dan, I’d be bored.’ He’d be snoring everyone to death.” Danny is known to many for playing Mick Carter in EastEnders – a role he held down from 2013–2022.
Since exiting the BBC soap, Danny has gone on to enjoy critical and commercial success playing Freddie Jones in the raunchy Disney+ series Rivals and for playing Lee in the hit Sky comedy series Mr. Bigstuff.
The 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing has come under fire from some fans for having a lacklusture line-up stuffed full of reality star contestants. Alongside Love Island’s Dani is ex-Apprentice contestant Tom Skinner, former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison, and social media star George Clarke.
The 2025 Strictly Come Dancing line-up has been deemed underwhelming by some fans(Image: PA)
The Daily Mail has suggested that show bosses failed to attach bigger names to the 2025 season after Strictly was hit by string of scandals – including accusations professional dancers had abused their celebrity co-stars.
A source claimed: “Yes, the Beeb had to expand their roster as they were struggling to get talent to sign up for a variety of mitigating circumstances.”
But a Strictly spokesperson hit back at the report, telling the Mirror: “This is pure conjecture from the Daily Mail. There was absolutely no difference to the casting process this year, both in timescale and the great mix of names wanting to take part.”
The 2025 season is due to begin on Saturday night on BBC One at 6:40pm. The launch show will see the new contestants being matched with their celebrity partners.
While reigning champions Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell – who won the series in 2024 – will return to take to the floor again, and fans will hear music by Jessie J.
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner has revealed that he had terrifying death threats after meeting up with the vice-president of the United States JD Vance.
The American politician reached out to him after seeing his social media posts saying he admired his positive attitude for life.
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Tom Skinner, left, says he received death threats after he posted a snap of himself with US vice-president JD VanceCredit: Instagram
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The Apprentice star has confessed he has cheated on his wife SineadCredit: Instagram
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JD Vance invited Tom to the barbecue of the summer at 18th-century Dean ManorCredit: Getty
And he invited him to the barbecue of the summer at 18th-century Dean Manor near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds.
But afterwards The Apprentice star and market stall holder proudly posted a photo of them together on social media – and received a shocking backlash.
In an exclusive interview he admits: “Since I posted that picture I’ve had loads of death threats. People saying they want me dead, saying I am this political figure that I’m actually not. I actually really ain’t. I couldn’t tell you what’s going on in the world right now.
“Now the left seems to be attacking me every day on social media. The right seems to see me as this figurehead and it’s all been a bit much for me, if I’m honest with you.
“I was getting death threats and people calling me controversial. I was thinking, what have I ever done? What have I ever said that’s controversial? When you actually go through my tweets, apart from saying that knife crime is bad in London, yeah?
“I’m not this political figurehead that people believe that’s got my hand.
“I’ve had loads of death threats over the years, you know.
“I didn’t see it as anything more than a barbecue, if I’m honest with you. But I’ve been turned into this political figure that I’m actually not.”
But the East Londoner does admit he was nervous after accepting the invite along with Cambridge academic James Orr and Tory MP Danny Kruger.
He said: “I was very nervous about it, I didn’t know what to wear. When I arrived he literally was like, ‘Why have you got a suit on?’
Strictly shock as Thomas Skinner STORMS OUT of launch in furious rage
“He was actually a normal bloke. We spoke about English cheese being so much better than American cheese, West Ham United and how they call football ‘soccer’.”
Fry-up fan Thomas was blown away by the food, laid on by the local pub, describing it as “the b******s.”
He said: “There was a pub in the town, and Jay wanted to go to a traditional English pub, but he knew by going to this pub it would obviously have to shut, because I’ve never seen so many security guys in my life… a proper entourage… he didn’t want it to affect the locals.
“So he asked the pub if they would kindly – he paid them a lot of money – bring some of their staff to cook at the place, and they did, they actually left this beautiful pub in the Cotswolds, they’d come round to the garden, and they cooked this fantastic spread, it was steaks, kebabs, halloumi, honestly it was unreal. Everyone was really friendly.”
He didn’t take pictures, he says, because he didn’t want to “disturb his privacy”.
Joking, he adds: “When Trump comes he might invite me to a BBQ too.”
NO REGRETS
Despite the furore online Thomas insists he doesn’t regret posting the picture. He said: “I don’t regret it, I am a normal bloke and it was an amazing opportunity.
“Put yourself in my shoes. What would you do? You’re a normal person. And, I’ve been given this opportunity to sit with the Vice President of the most powerful country in the world, the United States of America. To me that was, “Wow’.
“And I would have gone, whether it was the leader of France, Germany, I think to sit there and learn, and experience that, whether you agree with him politically or not, it wasn’t about that for me, it was literally to say, ‘I’ve sat there and met the Vice President of the United States of America’.”
Sinead has been by his side since they got together nearly a decade ago.
Thomas began working part time as a market trader at 13 after being expelled from school. He found several businesses before starring on The Apprentice in 2019 after Sinead encouraged him to apply.
But he is also known for his motivational videos on social media where he shares his love of kebabs and pints.
It was his conservative political views that led to US Vice President JD Vance actually getting in touch with him.
SPREADS POSITIVITY
He says he loves spreading positivity.
He said: “Even when JD Vance sent me a DM, he was like, ‘Look I love your energy, keep it up, I love seeing the high energy and the positivity you spread’.
“Which is literally all I do, all I do is share videos of me having a roast dinner, and do a morning video to say, ‘Have a good day’, because I know what it’s like to wake up and feel like you can’t do this. I’ve been there, and that’s why I won’t ever give up spreading the positivity.”
Throughout the ups and down in his life Sinead – who he dubs Super sensible Sinéad – has been at his side throughout.
He admits the past few weeks have been tough and he has struggled with the public scrutiny.
He said: “It does affect you. I’ve always put on this brave face. But it’s alright to be vulnerable and be down and be upset. There are times I’ve felt low.”
CLOSE PALS WITH RYLAN CLARK
His close pal Rylan Clark also faced backlash recently over his views on migrant hotels which sparked over 700 Ofcom complaints.
Thomas said: “Rylan has been a friend of mine since I was a teenager. I love him. He’s a family friend, he comes to our family events. I go round to his and I bring him round to ours.
“He’s a top guy. And the thing that I just worry about is nowadays, whether someone’s got a different opinion to you, or you say something that might be slightly incorrect or you don’t agree with, everyone should be allowed to have their opinion, and everyone should be allowed to express it and argue it and talk about it.
“But if your opinion is different to someone else’s, people shouldn’t be able to attack you and ram it down your throat, and I think that’s wrong, if I’m honest with you.
“Poor old Rylan got a bashing, and obviously I know what it feels like, because I’ve had a bashing in the last couple of years.”
What Rylan said was: “How come if I turn up at Heathrow Airport and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I’ve got to stand at that airport and won’t be let in? But if I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?
“I find it absolutely insane that all these people are risking their lives coming across the Channel like they are. But when they get here, it seems, ‘Welcome, come on in’.”
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Tom says he doesn’t deserve the backlash against himCredit: Twitter/@iamtomskinner
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The TV celebrity is now putting on his dancing shoes for BBC’s hit show Strictly Come DancingCredit: BBC
He later said he was angry at being “put in a box” over his opinions and called for more intelligent debate. Rylan posted on X: “You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes. You can support trans people and have the utmost respect for women.
“You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights. Stop with this putting everyone in a box exercise and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter.”
Thomas says the pressure that he and other celebrities receive due to fame can be hard to deal with.
And key to helping keep his mental health stable is the group of friends from the market that he still meets every Friday for “a pint”.
He said: “I think that’s so important, they think it’s funny I’m going on Strictly.
“Every Friday, and I’ve done this for years, you know, since I started out, no matter what, me and my group of little pals have a pint on a Friday afternoon.
“Some of us could be skint on our arse, some of us could be flying, we’re all having the same beer, in the same circle, talking the same thing, and we always, we always talk about what’s been a bad week, sad week, a happy week, a good week, a great week, and we all support each other, and I think that’s so important.”
And his biggest fan – his mum couldn’t be prouder.
Both his parents still work and are real “grafters” – which is where he says he gets his work ethic from.
His mum works in a call centre – but until this week hadn’t revealed who her famous son was, because she says they “never asked”.
He said: “She’s one of the people, when your boiler goes, she’ll ring up, my mum’s the one that you abuse on the phone saying, ‘My boilers gone,” she’s got one of the hardest jobs in the world. bless her.
“When she asked for the day off she said her son was on Strictly. They said, ‘What who’s your son? What do you mean?’ She showed them a picture of me.”
Her son is still a market trader with his own stall selling mattresses and pillows. He survives on just five hours sleep a night and even when rehearsing for the BBC show he says he will set up his stall first.
He still loves his work and feels proud to be helping Britain’s High Street.
Thomas said: “I’m going to try and set up at 6am. Markets help the shops, but then the shops are suffering, the high street’s dying.”
One thing that isn’t dying is his fan base.
Thomas confesses that he has been inundated with direct messages from celebrities on social media offering support for the new dance show.
He said: “I’ve had hundreds of messages, footballers, TV stars, all sorts.
“But I don’t think it’s fair to say who, because they’ve said that to me confidentially, and I respect that.
“People like my energy and the positivity I spread, which is literally all I do.”
Thomas has experienced financial highs and lows, and even homelessness.
He said: “I know what it’s like to have a few quid in my pocket, when everything’s going well, and your business is flying, and you’ve got everyone around you.
“But I also know what it’s like to be on your a***, not having anywhere to live, and not knowing how you’re going to pay your next bill. I’ve been at both spectrums.
“It’s taught me to be strong, and taught me to try and help other people, because life can be so hard.”
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Tom says he’s had ‘loads of death threats’ over the yearsCredit: Louis Wood
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Tom first appeared on The Apprentice in 2019 and has gone on to star in on Celebrity MasterChef, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and Michael McIntyre’s Big ShowCredit: Getty
EX-I’m A Celebrity winner Vicky Pattison is finding Strictly rehearsals difficult and admits: “I’d take kangaroo balls over glitter balls any day. I’m really done in.”
Strictly Come Dancing is due to come back to our screens next weekend as a host of all-new contestants get ready to take to the dance floor
Ross will be on the next series of Strictly(Image: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing’sRoss King has been dealt a huge blow just days before the latest series’ launch show. The showbiz expert is just one of a collection of celebs that are set to put on their dancing shoes next week.
However, it isn’t looking good for the ITV correspondent as he hasn’t been dealt great odds for success. Ross is one of this year’s contestants among the likes of Dani Dyer, Vicky Pattison and Lewis Cope.
He is due to take to the dance floor next Saturday as the latest series begins on September 20. It’s not yet known who he has been partnered up with out of the professional dancers.
Betway have released their odds and it’s not looking too good for Ross. Ross has been placed at the bottom of the pile with odds of 66/1 of lifting the glitterball trophy.
Leading the way is Emmerdale star Lewis Cope with 11/4 odds of winning, while Ellie Goldstein is a close second contender of lifting the trophy with odds of 3/1 and Love Island winner Dani Dyer remains at 4/1.
It was revealed back in August that Ross would be one of this year’s contestants. He has since opened up about what training for the show has looked like for him.
Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine, he said: “It has been absolutely amazing. The sun is shining and Glasgow has never looked better. I’ve seen so much of it because I’ve not been particularly training, but I have been walking a lot.
“I’ve been trying to keep up the training. Yesterday, my niece and nephew made me the biggest Sunday roast I have had in years. I’ve also been partaking in a delicacy here, which is rolling slices, and the people have been lovely.”
The star then went on to talk about how he feels about being at the bottom of another bookies’ odds. Ross explained: “”I felt a bit of pressure, of course, because I’m representing Lorraine, and I saw Alice Beer, who said I’m representing daytime.
“And then of course here they are saying I’m representing Scotland, but the great thing is I discovered today with the Bookies that I’m last at 50/1 to win, so the pressure is completely off me now.”
Ross said it is a “dream come true” to be competing on Strictly Come Dancing this year. He will be dancing beside celebs such as Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Alex Kingston, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, George Clarke and La Voix.
This year’s line-up also features EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, Chris Robshaw, Ellie Goldstein, Thomas Skinner and Stefan Dennis. The contestants will be trying to win the praise of the iconic judging panel.
Returning to their annual judging duties will be Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and previous professional dancer Anton Du Beke.
Strictly Come Dancing is set to return to screens September 20 on BBC One.
Strictly Come Dancing have released the first look images of the 2025 cast as the 15 celebrities prepare to take to the dance floor for the first live show in just two weeks time
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will return to hosting duties (Image: PA)
It’s almost time for the 2025 cast of Strictly Come Dancing to take to the dancefloor, as the BBC has released a first look picture of the cast in their glitzy ballroom outfits.
The cast certainly look the part – but will they be able to dance the part? Viewers will find out when the launch show airs next Saturday, with the live shows kicking off the week after.
The 15 new contestants, who will be joined alongside hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, dressed to the nines for their first looks, with pink being the colour of choice for most…
Strictly Come Dancing have released the first cast picture of 2025(Image: PA)
In the glitzy image, Love Island winner Dani Dyer wore a tassled pink number with a plunging V-neck to her waist, while ER actress Alex Kingston and model and actress Ellie Goldstein also joined in with the pink tassled theme.
They weren’t the only ones, as former England footballer Karen Carney wore a hot pink dress, with Olympian and Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeete opted for bright pink trousers.
Drag Race finalist La Voix stood out in a bright red number, with an eye-catching thigh slit. .
Vicky Pattinson and Balvinder Sopal stunned in bright colours, with the former Geordie Shore star wearing bright yellow, while the EastEnders star opted for a a turquoise dress.
Judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke will return to the panel
Former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope matched in electric blue, with Cope showing off his arms with a sheer sleeveless top and tailored trousers.
Stefan Dennis, broadcaster Ross King and former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw stood out in patterned suits, whereas Thomas Skinner wore a pale blue suit.
The first look picture comes after a huge win for Strictly at the NTAs, picking up the National Television Award for Talent Show after the last scandal-filled 18 months.
Last year’s celebrity cast took to the stage to accept the award, with Pete Wicks and JB Gill giving a speech. The current cast were unfortunately able to attend the award ceremony as they were off filming the launch show which will air next Saturday.
“It gives me a little bit of PTSD that theme tune,” Pete said while accepting the award. “But look, Strictly is one of the best things that I have done and as much as us guys are the ones dancing, it’s all about the crew and the people who work behind it.”
JB Gill then went onto thank the judges as well as Chris McCausland and Diane Buswell who “made history” as last year’s winners. “Last but not least, thank you to all the viewers, all the people who voted for this incredible award. We absolutely love you.”
Thomas Skinner took issue with a reporter recording an interview, a common practice, during the big Strictly Come Dancing press day ahead of the 2025 series launch show
23:55, 09 Sep 2025Updated 01:04, 10 Sep 2025
Thomas Skinner’s Strictly Come Dancing interview tantrum in full as audio released(Image: X/@iamtomskinner)
The audio from Thomas Skinner’s interview at Elstree Studios was released after it was revealed that he took issue with a reporter recording the chat ahead of his Strictly Come Dancing stint. The Apprentice star took part in chats with reporters to discuss the series but, in a shock moment, he grabbed a reporter’s phone as they asked him to stop.
The divisive figure took issue with a reporter recording an interview, a common practice, during the big Strictly Come Dancing press day. He had arrived at the table alongside fellow contestant, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was left having to do interviews on his own.
In the recording shared online, a reporter asked: “What made you say yes to this amazing opportunity?”
Thomas stormed out of a recent Strictly interview(Image: Getty Images)
He was heard saying: “What’s that? Are you taping it?” in the audio shared with The Sun. The reporter answered: “We have to record it,” before she was heard asking: “What are you doing?”
A voice was heard going: “Just answer the question, we’ve got three minutes,” before the reporter said: “No, no, no, don’t.”
Thomas went: “That’s about me,” before the reporter answered: “No, it’s not.” When one person asked ‘what made them run the question’, the reporter said they were ‘just recording it’.
An insider said his reaction ‘came out of nowhere’(Image: Instagram/iamtomskinner)
After a few moments of inaudible audio, someone else said: “Oh my God, he’s gone.”
Speaking about the moment that unfolded, an insider previously told the Mirror: “He walked to the table with his head down, he sat down, grabbed one of the reporters phones, who told him to stop. It was a shock. His reaction came out of nowhere.”
Another source told us: “It was totally out of the blue. He was absolutely fine during the first interview. In good spirits and delighted and surprised to be there. Like a competition winner.”
His actions are said to have left organisers furious and BBC bosses in talks over whether he should remain on the show.
Thomas has been a controversial signing for this year’s series of the BBC series. The dad-of-three has drawn strong criticism for Twitter (X) posts saying it is “not far-right” to be “flying your flag and loving your country”, and complaining “it ain’t safe out there any more” in London, saying the city is “hostile” and “tense”.
Meanwhile, fans have voiced their thoughts on the situation. Taking to X, one said: “This is what the BBC deserve because I for one am not surprised at all. Now drop the axe IMMEDIATELY. #Strictly.”
“Get rid of him man child #strictly,” another fumed. “Well I can’t say I’m surprised should never had been part of the show to begin with hope he’s axed,” someone else complained.
The Geordie Shore star is desperate to break free of her reality TV ties and become a respected broadcaster
Vicky Pattison has told how the stress of appearing on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing is overwhelming her. The reality TV star wept as she confessed her fear that certain members of the audience weren’t ever going to take to her.
“I am still just trying to change the opinions of people who will never like me, who are convinced I’m nothing but that girl from Geordie Shore, that I’m never gonna be any better.,” she wept. “I’m wasting my time trying to pander to these people.”
Speaking to her co-host Angela Scanlon on their podcast Get a Grip, Vicky cried: “All this can’t go on. I feel like I’ve just been walking around in this haze for so long pretending to be happy and all the rest of it and I’m not. I wanna prove to people that I can do it.”
Vicky and Angela launched their podcast earlier this year(Image: Amanda Akokhia )
With just three weeks until the first live instalment of the BBC ballroom show, Vicky said she’d been having therapy sessions with This Morning’s resident counsellors the Speakmans, to help her come to terms with the challenge ahead.
She explained: “I pretty much cried for three hours straight. It started off ‘why I’m so stressed about Strictly?’ I was like, I want to prove to people I can do it, that I’m more than just a reality TV star, and I want to be a TV presenter eventually.
“I want to make my family proud, they love it. I want to have a nice home, financial security, I want to go on nice holidays. I think this could be a step to that.” When Angela pointed out that she already has these things, Vicky, 37, cried: “It’s all about how you see yourself, isn’t it?”
Her frustration is that she’s remembered for shows like Ex on the Beach or Celebrity Coach Trip. “What I want to be is Vicky the Television Presenter. Vicky the Respected Author. Vicky the Valued Broadcaster. Eventually, I want people to be more interested in the quality of my work than the details of my life. It’s a difficult jump to make.”
Vicky attended the Baftas in May with her husband Ercan Ramadan (Image: Getty)
Interiors presenter Angela, who took part in Strictly two years ago, has hosted the podcast with Vicky since May. The aim is to explore pop culture and the “ridiculous expectations placed on women” in unfiltered chats every Thursday.
Vicky, 37, was crowned Queen of the Jungle on I’m A Celebrity …Get Me Out of Here! in 2015. After being unveiled as one of this year’s Strictly contestants she admitted she’d been secretly plotting her stint on the dance series for years, using a vision board.
Her long-term aim is to follow in the footsteps of documentary maker Stacey Dooley. “I want to film hard-hitting documentaries and talk about issues that I’m passionate about, like women’s reproductive health, women’s safety, and so many other issues that affect us.”
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 is just weeks away with 15 stars competing for the Glitterball Trophy
09:37, 31 Aug 2025Updated 09:44, 31 Aug 2025
Strictly’s judges will be watching every dance step
The launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 is now just weeks – but there’s bad news for two of the show’s brightest stars.
Pro dancers Luba Mushtuk and Nancy Xu are reportedly gutted to have been told they won’t be getting celebrity partners this year, meaning they are out of competing in the main show.
The BBC dance show kicks off next month with the likes of Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope and model Ellie Goldstein taking part.
There will be 15 stars competing in a couple with one of the experienced professionals. Sadly, it has now been revealed that favourites Luba, 35, and Nancy, 34, will not be training up and performing with the famous faces this year.
A source said : “Luba and Nancy were gutted not to be in a celebrity pairing and competing on the show this year.
Strictly professional Nancy Xu won’t be getting a partner this year(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
“They are, understandably, disappointed, but realise that not everyone is able to get a celebrity partner every year.
“Of course, the professional dancers are all expert athletes and want the best chance possible to win, it’s in their nature, but they’re grateful for the gig,’ the insider told The Sun On Sunday.
Last year Nancy was partnered with former X Factor winner Shayne Ward, while Luba was with DIY SOS star Nick Knowles.
Luba Mushtuk had a rough ride on Strictly last year with her partner Nick Knowles plagued by injury(Image: PA)
Earlier this week it was reported that long-serving dancer Gorka Marquez is actually ‘relieved’ not to have a leading role in this year’s show.
Gorka declined the opportunity to be centre stage with a celebrity partner in favour of spending weeks as a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly, Bailando Con Las Estrellas.
A source told The Sun: “Gorka loves Strictly and is so proud to be one of the longest-serving pros, but has said he’ll be relieved not to be there during another fraught series while the show and its cast are accused of toxic behaviour.
“He’s very excited to have been part of the group dances, which were pre-recorded, and loves everyone on the show. But this is the third series where they face questions about bullying, chaperones and everything else.”
Gorka Marquez is switching things up by joining the judging panel this year(Image: Gorka Marquez Instagram)
A spokesperson for Gorka responded: “Gorka does not feel this way at all; he is delighted to still be a part of Strictly alongside his Spanish filming schedule.”
One agent of a star on the show said: “Everyone is a little more mindful about the fact that things can blow up…and one misstep is all it takes. Last year Wynne Evans came under immense pressure, while the previous year Amanda Abbingdon said she had a torrid time…the phrase danger money has been bandied about.”
Strictly has been hit by a string of storms recently. Last year, dancer Giovanni Pernice quit after being accused of bullying and harassing 2023 partner Abbington. Some complaints against him were upheld but he was cleared of the most serious ones in a probe.
In the same series, the BBC pro Graziano Di Prima was removed over claims of misconduct towards partner Zara McDermott during training. And this year, Welsh opera singer Evans left the dance tour after being accused of making inappropriate remarks.
The current series of Strictly got off to a rocky start with Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn quitting the show after just one week into rehearsals. He was swiftly replaced by Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope, who is now hot favourite to win.
Three of the stars of Strictly Come Dancing are reportedly in a ‘throuple’, which is said to have ‘raised more than few eyebrows’ backstage of the BBC family show
In the latest shockwave to hit Strictly Come Dancing, three of its stars are reportedly in a ‘throuple’(Image: BBC)
In the latest shockwave to hit Strictly Come Dancing, three of its stars are said to be in a ‘throuple’. The BBC has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent years, following a slew of scandals for the primetime programme.
After Amanda Abbington accused Giovanni Pernice of bullying her on the show in 2023, GoCompare star, Wynne Evans was given the chop from the tour last year after allegedly making a crude sexual slur. Then, there were claims that two of the show’s stars were using cocaine, followed by the shocking news that someone involved with the programme had been arrested on the suspicion of rape.
In the latest setback for the sequin-strewn show, three Strictly stars have been accused of being in a throuple – a relationship involving three people.
Strictly Come Dancing has been hit by a slew of scandals(Image: PA)
Sources allege some of the show’s cast were left “absolutely shocked” as the news of the non-monogamous relationship was let out of the bag, according to MailOnline.
The term ‘throuple’ was first bandied about in the press in 2022 when Saturdays star, Una Healy popped up in a photo with boxer David Haye and his girlfriend – although the singer later denied she was in a relationship with the pair.
Now, Strictly has been tarnished with the term, with a source claiming “there is a ‘throuple’ taking place behind the scenes, which has angered some Strictly stars.”
The source, who claimed that the three people can’t be named for legal reasons, had “raised many eyebrows backstage.” They added: “It is, like, the best gossip ever. It all came out during a night out, people were absolutely shocked.
“These are people who have many friends and many connections to Strictly and while nobody is actually doing anything wrong in the scenario, you can only imagine how it has become the talk of the show.”
It comes after the show was rocked by a shocking allegation, with one of the stars being arrested on suspicion of rape.
The male suspect, who has not been named for legal reasons, is also reportedly being questioned by police over allegations involving “non-consensual intimate image abuse”.
The BBC confirmed to The Mirror that there is an “ongoing police investigation”. The police inquiry is not related to the current series.
A Met spokesman told The Sun on Sunday: “On Friday, August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse.
“This is a joint investigation… and while the investigation is in its early stages, we urge anyone with any information to come forward to us. The arrest follows a third party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. Enquiries are ongoing.”
They added that the alleged rape victim is being supported by specialist officers.
The Mirror has contacted the BBC for comment on this story.
* If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
Tayce has claimed that as ‘negative focus on trans people’ cost her a place on Strictly Come Dancing even though she won the Christmas special last year
11:09, 25 Aug 2025Updated 11:10, 25 Aug 2025
Drag Race star Tayce won last year’s Christmas special of Strictly alongside Kai Widdrington but was not part of this year’s line-up(Image: PA)
Tayce has claimed that a ‘negative focus on trans people’ cost her a place on Strictly Come Dancing. The drag queen, whose real name is Tayce Szura-Radix, found fame when she finished as runner-up on the second series RuPaul’s Drag Race and then won the Christmas edition of the BBC competition last year in a history-making move for the show, but failed to secure a place on the main line-up.
The TV star initially sparked rumours that she had been snubbed when she claimed in a viral social media post that she was ‘too much’ for the main programme as stars like Geordie Shore legend Vicky Pattison, Stefan Dennis of Neighbours fame and fellow drag queen La Voix were revealed as some of the contestants taking part for this year’s full series.
She would have jumped at the chance to take part in the programme, but Tayce, who is not trans, believes that the fact that she looks ‘more like Naomi Campbell‘ than a typical drag queen, some of the audience wouldn’t be prepared to accept her on the mainstream show.
Speaking on behalf of WhichBingo, Tayce told The Mirror: “I had the most amazing time. It was such an honour and a privilege to be the first drag queen on that show. I mean, I’ve obviously was only for the Christmas special, the whole main series. I would have loved to have been in the main series, but that didn’t happen for me for some reason. I don’t know why.
“Because I guess I look the way that I do, where we’re in a climate right now where there’s so much of an attack and a light and a negative focus on trans people.
“I mean, I myself, I’m obviously not trans, but I don’t look like your standard hokey pokey, artichokey kind of drag queen, where I think people only feel comfortable when they’re in on the joke and they feel like, oh, it’s a man in a wig. And I mean I don’t look like a man in a wig, I look like Naomi Campbell. And some people can’t handle the beauty and the essence. And I think that’s kind of more of a thing on them.”
The former Celebrity Gogglebox star then clarified that she would perhaps be ‘too much for the public’ if she were to hit the dancefloor for what could potentially be nearly three months, and insisted that she would still love to take part at some point in the future but had expected the call to come this year.
She said: “I would have loved to have done the main season. But when I said, in regards to what I said about being too much, it really meant about me being like, maybe I’m too much for the public.
“It didn’t mean I was too much the show or for the people who booked me. I think I’m maybe just too much of a people to handle me at home because I really had my fair share of backlash.
Tayce made history as the first drag star to take part in the programme when it aired its annual Christmas special last year(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
“Throughout my whole time on the Christmas season on all sorts of social media and I read things but it’s something that doesn’t affect me but I know there would be someone that could have been in my position that really wouldn’t have been able to handle that kind of pressure or that kind of attack so maybe like when I say I was too much maybe I’m just too much for a whole season of my iconicness and if people can’t handle that that’s okay.”
“ I’m such a fan of the show and I know I would kill it. Double Dutch. So, yeah, I mean, if it is what it is. I mean at the end of the day, I would have loved to. I was honestly really expecting to be called back, especially because there’s been kind of a trend, if you will, of winners coming back from the Christmas season.
“So I kind of sat there thinking, yep, I’m going to get that call, it’s going to happen. So it humbled me a bit than I did at the call, but you know what, maybe I was just, yeah too much for the public at home.”
Speaking to The Times, Robert reflected that he’d accepted the Strictly offer as “these opportunities don’t come along very often.”
He said: “They don’t happen to everyone.
“And I’d just nearly died, so I thought, “This is no time to be sitting on the edges; why don’t you contribute and participate?”
“It all sounded like a good idea at the time.”
Robert added: “It all added up to a big mistake.”
Although he was in “quite good shape” on paper, the star struggled with Strictly’s intense schedule.
He explained: “That schedule is a law unto itself, and I just wasn’t anywhere close to being able to do that.
“I don’t even know if I could now. I don’t think it’d be a very good idea.”
New Strictly celeb Lewis Cope’s experience as a three-time world champion dance finalist
Robert said in a statement at the time of his exit: “I’m extremely sorry to have to announce that I’m withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing due to ill health.
“Two years ago I had open heart surgery and although I believed I was fit enough to take on Strictly and its demanding schedule, it became clear that I had bitten off way more than I could chew for this stage in my recovery.
“I had begun to feel symptoms that led me to seek an urgent consultation with my heart specialist, and it was her view that it would be better for the sake of my health to step back from the show.”
BBC show Strictly Come Dancing has been rocked by more allegations, with one of the stars being arrested on suspicion of rape
22:07, 23 Aug 2025Updated 22:56, 23 Aug 2025
BBC Strictly star arrested on suspicion of rape as show is hit with fresh crisis
Strictly Come Dancing has been thrown into a new crisis after one of its stars was reportedly arrested on suspicion of rape.
The male suspect, who has not been named for legal reasons, is also reportedly being questioned by police over allegations involving “non-consensual intimate image abuse”.
The BBC confirmed to The Mirror tonight that there is an “ongoing police investigation”.
The Met Police investigation follows a BBC-led inquiry into claims of drug abuse by stars on the show. A Met spokesman told The Sun on Sunday: “On Friday, August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse.
“This is a joint investigation… and while the investigation is in its early stages, we urge anyone with any information to come forward to us. The arrest follows a third party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. Enquiries are ongoing.”
The alleged rape victim is being supported by specialist officers, he added. The dramatic development – separate from the upcoming series – is one of the biggest crises to be faced by the BBC since newsreader Huw Edwards dodged jail last year for possessing indecent images of children.
A BBC spokesperson has told The Mirror: “It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.”
Strictly has been hit by a string of storms recently. Last year, dancer Giovanni Pernice quit after being accused of bullying and harassing 2023 partner Abbington. Some complaints against him were upheld but he was cleared of the most serious ones in a probe.
In the same series, the BBC pro Graziano Di Prima was removed over claims of misconduct towards partner Zara McDermott during training. And this year, Welsh opera singer Evans left the dance tour after being accused of making inappropriate remarks.
This week Kristian Nairn quit the show after just one week into rehearsals. He will be replaced by Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope as BBC bosses scrambled to find a last-minute stand-in. Northern Ireland-born Kristian revealed he had quit in an emotional Instagram video.
The 49-year-old said: “Like so many people at the minute, I have been dealing with a high level of stress and a little bit of grief, if I’m going to be really real. I’ve always been my mother’s son and I have always powered through things like this in the past and any other time of my life actually. Honestly, I think I’ve got a pretty healthy attitude towards stuff like this.
“I thought I did, at least. For the first time it’s manifested physically and it’s caused a spike in my vitals. It’s entered an area of concern.”
If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
Strictly Come Dancing star Kristian Nairn has quit the BBC show just a week into training – as sources now reveal to us why he decided to leave the programme
17:18, 21 Aug 2025Updated 17:18, 21 Aug 2025
Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn has quit Strictly due to medical reasons (Image: BBC)
The Game of Thrones actor and DJ was confirmed today to not be taking on the Latin and ballroom competition for an undisclosed health complaint. Kristian will be replaced by another celebrity, due to be announced later today.
He said in a statement: “With a heavy heart, I have to step back from this season of Strictly Come Dancing due to unexpected medical reasons. I was truly looking forward to the journey, and I’m deeply sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to seeing me on the dance floor. Thank you all for your support, and I will be back on my feet very soon, in every sense. Love to all, Kristian.”
Krstian said Strictly would be a “huge challenge”(Image: John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios, added in a statement: “We’ve absolutely loved getting to know Kristian in this short time, and he has all the makings of a brilliant Strictly Come Dancing contestant. We’re incredibly sorry to lose him from this year’s series and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”
Now, a source has revealed to The Mirror just why Kristian had quit the competition so early into training. A BBC source told us: “Kristian sadly just wasn’t up to competing on Strictly and so he had to pull out.
“The celebrities have not been paired up yet but he had a couple sessions doing the group number and they were a real shock to the system. I think by his own admission he found them a struggle and may have been surprised how much of a challenge it was physically for him. He wasn’t feeling great and the best option for everyone was for him to leave the show at this stage. It has been a bit of a scramble but we have got a replacement.”
When he was announced for the show, Kristian said he was excited for the physical challenge. He said: This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it! It’s a surreal and wonderful opportunity to shed one of my left feet!”
The new celebrity joining Strictly Come Dancing will be announced on Thursday’s (21.08.25) episode of The One Show. Strictly will return in just a few weeks time – with the celebrities and their professional dance partners being announced in a special launch show.
Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison took to social media to show her fans the painful after-effects of a gruelling week training for her debut on the hit BBC show
Vicky Pattison has been training hard for her Strictly debut(Image: @vickypattison/instagram)
A Strictly Come Dancing star has shown off the painful results of her training schedule just days into rehearsals for the show. Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison has been busy preparing for the new season of Strictly, which is due to get underway in weeks. She took to Instagram to share images of her extremely sore-looking feet after her first week of rehearsals.
Her painfully swollen, cut, and blistered feet had fans feeling squeamish as she shared pictures and wrote, “And so it begins,” adding a crying and laughing emoji. In a second upload, Vicky discussed how strenuous preparations for the live shows were, and she admitted feeling like she had been “hit by a car”, and that she had found “dancing so hard.”
She said, “Our first @bbcstrictly rehearsal… The start of the day versus… the end.It certainly was a baptism of fire lads… that’s for sure! If I was doubting my ability before.. then I REALLY am now!!! Dancing is SO HARD!”
Vicky then praised the Strictly professional dancing team as she continued, “No wonder those pros are all drop dead gorgeous. I feel like I’ve been hit by a car and I’ve already got blisters.. WTF???
Vicky showed off her sore looking foot(Image: @vickypattison/instagram)
“A serious newfound appreciation for everyone who’s ever taken part! BUT… what an amazing day, the team are incredible, the celebs are so wonderful ,and the pros are an absolute joy.”
She added, “If I hang around long enough… I think I’ll really love my new family. I’m off to think about my life choices and apologise to all the fellas I stepped all over today!”
Vicky’s post comes after Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn was confirmed as the 15th name on the celebrity competitor line-up. The star is best known for having appeared on the HBO fantasy series as Hodor, and also works as a DJ.
He will now be preparing to take to the dancefloor and put his footwork to the test for viewers and judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke as the fan favourite returns for its 23rd series.
Vicky admitted feeling worn out by the gruelling schedule(Image: @vickypattison/instagram)
Other stars taking to the dancefloor include former Love Island star Dani Dyer, actress Alex Kingston, EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, legendary footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, TikTokker George Clarke, Drag Race star La Voix, model Ellie Goldstein, and rugby star Chris Robshaw.
The line-up also includes Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, also known as Nitro, The Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner, Good Morning Britain’s Ross King, Lioness Karen Carney and Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis.
The news comes after Strictly has faced a fresh scandal after claims of cocaine use by two show stars, with reports suggesting their substance use was an open secret on the show.
It follows a rocky few controversial years of allegations of backstage bullying, misconduct claims and several stars being axed or suspended by the BBC over their behaviour.
Strictly pro Nadiya Bychkova shared earlier this week that she had ended up in hospital amid rehearsals for the BBC show’s return and she’s since issued an update to fans
Strictly Come Dancing pro Nadiya Bychkova has shared another update after her injury in rehearsals(Image: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire )
It was announced on Tuesday that Nadiya, 35, had been in rehearsals in London for the new series of the BBC show that afternoon when she injured herself. Then, yesterday, she told fans that she’d got “the all-clear” at hospital and assured that she will be back on the dancefloor “soon”.
Strictly Come Dancing pro Nadiya Bychkova issued a statement tonight in which she announced her return to rehearsals later this week(Image: @nadiyabychkova/Instagram)
Nadiya took to Instagram this evening with a message for her followers on the platform. She expressed gratitude for the support she’s received this week and revealed in the post that she will be back on the dancefloor tomorrow.
She wrote: “Hi everyone! I’ve had so many kind messages over the past 48 hours – thank you for your love and support. So many questions too so I just wanted to let you know that I had another scan today – just to check things over – and some more physio from the Strictly team and I’ll be back on that dancefloor tomorrow.”
Nadiya concluded by saying that she’s looking forward to the new series. She wrote in her statement earlier: “I feel a lot more like myself today, can’t wait to be back with my [Strictly] family and looking forward for the new series.”
Earlier this week, a source revealed to the Mirror that Nadiya had injured herself during rehearsals. They said: “It looked pretty nasty and no-one was taking any chances. The Strictly crew rushed into action and she was stretchered out.”
It comes after she shared yesterday that she had ended up in hospital after landing on her back in a fall earlier this week(Image: INSTAGRAM)
A source close to Strictly said: “As a precaution, following a fall during rehearsals, Nadiya was taken to hospital for checks and is receiving full support from medical and welfare teams. Rehearsals continue and the Strictly team are in close contact with Nadiya.”
The following day, Nadiya shared details about the incident. Alongside a photo of herself lying in a hospital bed, she wrote yesterday: “Well… where do I start? What a 24 hours! Thank you so much for all the messages, love and support.
“I just wanted you to know that I am ok. I had a fall in training yesterday and landed on my back. I was really worried for a while and I was so thankful to the Strictly family and medical team who really looked after me. The staff at the hospital were so kind and caring.”
She added: “I’m smiling in the picture but it was really scary and there were a few tears as I had to lie still for hours but I was given the all-clear after an x-ray and allowed to go home.”
Nadiya then told her followers: “I’ve got some physio today but I will be back on that dance floor soon and I’ll be ready to shine and sparkle in the new series of the biggest show on TV. I can’t wait for you to see it. Keep dancing!”
Doctor Who star, Alex Kingston, got married to Jonathan Stamp back in 2015 in Rome.
She is joining the Strictly Come Dancing class of 2025, but what do we know about her spouse?
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Alex Kingston is swapping the Tardis time machine for the Tango.Credit: Getty
Who is Alex Kingston’s husband Jonathan Stamp?
Jonathan travelled the Mediterranean under a UNESCO International Arts Scholarship after he completed his master’s degree in classical studies at Oxford University, where he received a first-class honours.
He originally started as a journalist at The Economist and began a career in TV as a documentary maker, his speciality was history subjects.
The journalist started with Channel 4 and then with the BBC, where he made 20 documentaries and even won three Emmys for his work.
In 2000, he was appointed the Director of Development in the BBC’s History Department.
Strictly Come Dance 2025 lineup
Strictly Come Dancing news and the latest line up
In 2002, he was appointed the BBC’s Head of Archaeology.
Two years later, he left the Beeb to become a historical consultant and co-producer on Rome, a drama set in the last days of the ancient Roman Republic.
He was a historical consultant for TV projects with HBO, Showtime and Amazon, feature films with Sony and MGM Studios and console games with Ubisoft.
Since his work as a historical consultant, he has continued to work in TV and film, primarily as a graphic designer and art director.
More recently, he has written his own material for future TV projects.
This includes Ellis a period drama based on Ellis Island in 1902, and District IV, a cop show set in Caligula’s Rome.
He has also completed his first feature script, Lords of Florence, inspired by a true story about a painting competition between Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci.
Do Alex Kingston and Jonathan Stamp have children together?
The couple do not have a child together; however, Alex Kingston has a daughter called Salome Violetta Haertel with her ex-husband, Ralph Fiennes, a fellow actor who has appeared in films like the James Bond franchise.
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Alex Kingston with her daughter, Salome Violetta Haertel ahead of her starting strictly.
What has Jonathan’s wife Alex said about her Strictly announcement?
Speaking about if she had any “signature moves” to the show’s hosts, Alex teased: “My hips don’t lie.”
Dani Dyer was announced as the second celebrity to be taking part in this year’s Strictly Come DancingCredit: PA
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Dani won Love Island alongside Jack Fincham in 2018Credit: ITV
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Dani is the daughter of actor Danny DyerCredit: BBC
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Dani previously spoke about her dancing experience in her 2019 book
Dani, 29, shot to fame when she won Love Island in 2018 – with her new reality stint very different to the dating show.
The daughter of EastEnders actor Danny Dyer will waltz her way around the ballroom in September when she joins the cast of the hit series.
But now it has been revealed that in an unearthed passage from her autobiography, Dani boasted about being a “qualified dancer”.
She said in her 2019 book that she would put “qualified dancer” under the list of qualifications on her CV.
Writing in her book, which came out six years ago, Dani wrote about how she went to theatre school at weekends from the age of 2 to 14.
“It was called O’Farrell’s Stage School and I was a really good little dancer,” she said.
Dani added: “I’m not a bad singer but it was the dance stuff I loved more – jazz, tap, ballet, modern. I’d get home and prance around the house.”
Elsewhere in the book she writes up a mock CV where she states her qualifications include: “Qualified dancer and pretty good at singing (especially Dua Lipa or Ariana Grande at the top of her voice while cleaning the kitchen).”
‘I’D BE HAPPY TO BE WHISKED AROUND’
She also spoke about Strictly in her book, saying how she would jump at the chance of being asked to compete on the hit reality dancing competition.
“IfStrictly Come Dancingwant to give me a call I’d also be happy to be whisked around the dance floor,” she penned at the time.
Strictly reveals the next two celebrities joining the 2025 series on The Scott Mills BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show
At the time of her book coming out, Dani was all loved up with then-beau Jack Fincham, and she said of Strictly: “The only thing I’d be worried about would be the curse.”
In her book from several years ago, Dani also swooned about her bond with Shirley Ballas.
Bonding with her on a trek for Comic Relief, Dani said she was “just the most graceful, lovely person”.
But despite admitting her prior dance experience, fans are still excited to see Dani storm the ballroom.
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Fans are excited for Dani to waltz her way onto the dance floor next monthCredit: Instagram/danidyerxx
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Dani will star alongside big names like La Voix, George Clarke and Ellie Goldstein in this year’s series of StrictlyCredit: Mark Hayman – Commissioned by The Sun
Reacting to the news of Dani being confirmed for the series, one person on X said: “Woooo I love Dani!!!”
“Whoop I love Dani! She’ll be awesome,” penned a second.
The Sun has contacted Strictly for comment but they did not immediately respond.
SHOWBIZ BACKGROUND SCRUTINY
Dani is not the only star in Strictly history to have had their background in the world of showbiz scrutinised.
Tasha Ghouri, also from Love Island, had her background in dance.
The star who appeared on the series last year faced a backlash for being a trained dancer and branded the show a “fix” because they signed her up.
Actress Sarah Hadland and JLS’ JB Gill were also accused of having advantages on the show because of their backgrounds and prior careers.
But despite all of their experience, nor Tasha, Sarah or JB won the show.
Model Ellie Goldstein, who has Down syndrome, was then the seventh celebrity revealed to be waltzing their way onto the dance floor next month, in the groundbreaking signing.
RuPaul‘s Drag Race UK star La Voix was then the next confirmed star to be announced.
And former England rugby union player and captain Chris Robshaw has also been confirmed this week.
Strictly 2025 rumoured line-up
The following stars are rumoured to be taking part in Strictly – plus scroll to see who has been confirmed
Angellica Bell: A familiar face on British television, Angellica is a seasoned TV presenter known for her work on shows like CBBC and The One Show. She’s no stranger to reality TV, having recently appeared on Celebrity Big Brother.
Paul C. Brunson: The charismatic relationship expert and matchmaker from Married At First Sight UK, Paul is known for his insightful advice and warm personality. Swapping the sofa for the samba, he’s tipped to bring a touch of class and intelligence to the competition.
Vicky Pattison: A reality TV stalwart who first found fame on Geordie Shore, Vicky has successfully transitioned into a presenter and author. Having supported her friend Pete Wicks on the show last year, it seems she’s ready to put on her own dancing shoes.
Ashley Cain: Former footballer and reality TV star from Ex on the Beach, Ashley has more recently become known for his incredible charity work and campaigning.
Stacey Solomon: Known for her down-to-earth charm and successful BBC shows like Sort Your Life Out, fans are eager to see if she can translate her infectious energy to the ballroom.
Georgia Toffolo: Best known as “Toff” from Made in Chelsea and for winning I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2017, Georgia is a seasoned reality TV star.
Thomas Skinner: The lively entrepreneur who became a fan favourite on The Apprentice in 2019, Thomas is known for his larger-than-life personality and catchphrase “Bosh!”. Despite admitting to no dancing experience, he’s reportedly “up for giving it his best shot.”
Tom Parker Bowles: The renowned food writer and critic, and son of Queen Camilla, is a surprising but intriguing name on the rumour list. A regular on MasterChef, it remains to be seen if his culinary precision translates to ballroom finesse.
Sir Mo Farah: The legendary Olympic long-distance runner is considered a national treasure.
Balvinder Sopal: The talented actress known for her role as Suki Panesar in EastEnders, Balvinder would follow a long line of successful soap stars on Strictly.
Jake Brown: The winner of The Traitors series three, Jake’s name has emerged as a potential contestant.
Stefan Dennis: The actor, 66, has played six-times married Ramsay Street lothario Paul Robinson since the first episode in 1985 and now the soap is coming to an end, his schedule is clear.
Confirmed Strictly 2025 stars:
Ellie Goldstein – Vogue cover model Ellie is the first contestant with Down syndrome to take part in a full Strictly series. As well as her modelling work, she is known for CBBC.
George Clarke – Social media star George was the sixth person to be revealed. The influencer isn’t the first YouTube star to appear, and follows Saffron Barker and Joe Suggs,
Balvinder Sopal – The soap star is the latest EastEnders cast member to sign up to the show. The actress is known for playing Walford matriarch Suki Panesar.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: The former Premier League football striker, famous for his time at Leeds and Chelsea, is another sporting name being linked.
Alex Kingston – Actress Alex has joined the line-up and his hoping to emulate the success of her friend Sarah Hadland last year. She is best known for shows like Doctor Who, EastEnders and ER.
Dani Dyer: Rising to fame as the winner of Love Island in 2018, Dani has remained in the public eye with various TV appearances. The daughter of actor Danny Dyer, she’s reportedly agreed to take part.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey: Known as “Nitro” from the BBC’s Gladiators reboot and a former Team GB sprinter, Harry has already shown off some moves on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.
A former Strictly Come Dancing employee has alleged that he was offered cocaine by one of its stars at an after party as the BBC launches an investigation into drug use claims
22:59, 09 Aug 2025Updated 22:59, 09 Aug 2025
A Strictly Come Dancing crew member has alleged that he was offered drugs by a star on the show
A former employee of the BBC has alleged that he was offered cocaine by a Strictly Come Dancing star. The unnamed man, who worked behind the scenes on the broadcaster’s dancing competition for a decade, has claimed that he saw a number of its celebrity contestants ‘partying’ after filming was over and alleged that he saw stars ‘drinking and taking drugs’ at the time.
The employee claimed that bags of white powder, suspected to be cocaine, were found on two separate occasions in the smoking area and also in the men’s toilets. He then claimed that one of its stars offered him some cocaine at a party after filming on the Blackpool stage of the contest had wrapped.
A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror: “We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.”
It comes just days after BBC bosses launch an investigation into alleged drug use behind the scenes of their Saturday night staple(Image: PA)
They added: “As per BBC policy, the option of specialised professional support is on the table and will be offered. While drug testing won’t happen on the main show, bosses are considering bringing in random checks for the tour next year.”
The source claimed the BBC are needing to be sure there are no illegal activities taking place and are waiting for the investigation’s findings.
It’s the latest scandal to rock the long-running series. It comes after drug use claims were submitted to the BBC in March by Russells Solicitors on behalf of a celebrity contestant.
And The Sun also claimed that a celebrity alleged it is common knowledge within the show’s circle that two stars were using cocaine, a topic that was reportedly rife among the cast.
In a statement shared with the Mirror over the weekend, a representative for the BBC said: “We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.”
The fresh blow comes amidst speculation over which famous faces could be set to take to the dancefloor when the show returns in just a matter of weeks.
