Nitro Announces Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Debut

Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known as Nitro, is the first celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Nitro Joins Strictly Come Dancing 2025 as First Celebrity Contestant

Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, who performs as Nitro on Gladiators, has been confirmed as the first celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2025. The reveal came during a playful live segment on CBBC Newsround, where he appeared in disguise as the choreographer Nicky Trott before revealing the real reason for his visit. Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September.

Harry is a decorated sprinter with Olympic and European titles and he previously appeared on last year’s Strictly Christmas Special with Nancy Xu. The show’s producers say the next three celebrity contestants will be announced on The One Show on August 11. This move reflects the BBC’s ongoing effort to blend sport, entertainment, and family viewing as the new season approaches.

This booking signals a deliberate push to mix athletic prowess with dance for broad appeal. Nitro’s speed and showmanship could boost early episodes and attract audiences who love high-energy performances. Yet the season’s success will hinge on rigorous training, public scrutiny, and the ability to translate sprint speed into ballroom technique.

The prank-filled reveal underscores a refreshing, light PR approach that leverages cross-platform engagement. If the season lands with the pace and personality promised, Strictly could widen its audience beyond longtime fans while preserving the program’s family-friendly vibe. The September return will test the balance between spectacle and craft in a show that thrives on both.

Highlights

The ballroom awaits a new kind of speed and spectacle.