Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Who Are the Front-Runners and Betting Favourites?
Twirls, tangos, and tantalising tension can only mean one thing. Strictly Come Dancing is back, and it's bigger than ever!
This TV show has not only captured the hearts of millions across the nation but has also spun its magic around the globe, with versions in Australia and America.
From the sequins to the sambas, the cha-chas to the Charleston, Strictly is a dazzling spectacle that has us all on the edge of our seats.
But there's more to this dance extravaganza than meets the eye. It's also a fascinating betting opportunity.
So, whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, join us as we take a peek at the latest betting for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 and make our predictions for this year's champion.
Ready to rumba? You will be when Strictly returns with a launch show on 20th September 2025 on BBC One.
A Look Back at Last Year

As we twirl into the 2025 edition of Strictly Come Dancing, we can't help but look back at the glittering triumph of the previous season.
2024 delivered a landmark anniversary series packed with drama, dazzling routines, and emotional stories.
Chris McCausland's journey captured the nation's hearts as he overcame challenges to deliver standout performances week after week.
He faced tough competition from finalists JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri, and Sarah Hadland, with each couple performing three dances in the glitzy finale.
Live performances and a star-studded group encore added sparkle to the celebrations.
Ultimately, the public vote crowned Chris and Dianne champions, a moment they both dedicated to breaking barriers and inspiring others with determination and teamwork.
So who has signed up to entertain us in 2025? Let's find out!
The 2025 Strictly Line-Up
This year’s line-up features a lively mix of actors, athletes, presenters, and personalities, all ready to compete for the coveted Glitterball trophy.
Below is the full list of celebrities confirmed to be taking to the famous dance floor, each bringing their own sparkle and story to this much-loved show.
Full list of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Celebrities:
| Celebrity Name | Profession/Notable Role |
|---|---|
| Harry Aikines-Aryeetey | Olympian & Gladiators star |
| Dani Dyer | TV Personality & Author |
| Alex Kingston | Actress (Doctor Who, ER) |
| Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink | Footballer & TV pundit |
| Balvinder Sopal | Actress (EastEnders) |
| George Clarke | Architect & TV Presenter |
| La Voix | Drag Queen & Performer |
| Chris Robshaw | Rugby Player |
| Lewis Cope | Actor (Emmerdale) |
| Angellica Bell | TV Presenter |
| Karen Carney | Footballer & Broadcaster |
| Ross King | Hollywood Correspondent |
| Jake Brown | Reality TV Star |
| Thomas Skinner | Businessman & TV Personality |
| Ellie Goldstein | Model & Actress |
Betting On Strictly Come Dancing
Pretty much all of the online bookmakers offer Strictly Come Dancing Odds, and with millions of viewers, it makes sense.
Just check out Betfred. They will offer bets on Strictly, X-Factor, Love Island, and much more.
But what is the best betting tactic for betting on Strictly Come Dancing? Well, this may seem obvious, but you must make your choice early in the competition.
The odds are going to shorten significantly as the field reduces. On top of that, there will always be a clear favourite.
Let's say that there is an incredibly popular celebrity who is paired up with the best partner. Then, in the first show, they dance like a pro.
It goes without saying that the odds are not going to be amazing – it would be like choosing the favourite horse in a race.
However, the favourite does not always win. So, keep your cool and work out who is not quite as obvious but does have the ability, consistency, and is working hard.
The chances are you could pick the winner and get a much better payout by doing this.
Generally, it's a good tip to listen to the judges, the responses of the audience, and not just their dance moves.
Strictly 2025 Odds (Betfred 2nd September 2025)
| Contestant | Odds |
|---|---|
| Lewis Cope | 3/1 |
| Ellie Goldstein | 4/1 |
| Dani Dyer | 9/2 |
| George Clarke | 9/1 |
| Karen Carney | 9/1 |
| Vicky Pattison | 12/1 |
| Alex Kingston | 14/1 |
| Balvinder Sopal | 16/1 |
| Harry Aikines-Aryeetey | 16/1 |
| Thomas Skinner | 20/1 |
| La Voix | 25/1 |
| Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink | 33/1 |
| Stefan Dennis | 40/1 |
| Chris Robshaw | 50/1 |
| Ross King |
Who Has Been Eliminated From Strictly In 2025?
As the show hasn't yet started, this is how the various contestants will get whittled down as the show progresses.
Strictly begins with all contestants taking to the floor in the first live show, which features no elimination, and the judges’ scores simply roll over to the second week.
From week two onward, judges’ scores and the public vote combine to rank contestants.
The bottom two then face the dance-off, where judges decide who stays. Each week, another pair departs after the judges’ deliberation.
The semi-final narrows the field, and by the grand final, only three or four couples remain, with the public alone deciding the winner.
Injuries or unexpected withdrawals may affect the order, but weekly eliminations keep the tension high.
So, as we go through the weeks, I will keep you all up to date on who has been given their marching orders from the dance floor – just in case you miss it!
When Is Strictly Come Dancing Back on TV?
Get ready to dust off your dancing shoes and polish your scorecards because Strictly Come Dancing returned to our screens with a launch show on 20th September 2025 on BBC One.
This is then followed by the first live show airing on Saturday, 27 September 2025.
The series runs weekly throughout the autumn, culminating in the glittering grand final on Saturday 20 December 2025.
This means the competition will last about 13 weeks, ending just before Christmas with the nation's favourite dance event on the BBC.
Through it all, one celebrity and their professional dance partner will rise above the rest, ultimately crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champions.
So, mark your calendars and prepare for a season full of glitter, glamour, and unforgettable routines.
Conclusion
As the sequins sparkle and the celebrities cha-cha-cha, we can't wait to see how the 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing unfolds.
Who will surprise us with their dance skills? Who will capture the hearts of the viewers and judges alike? And most importantly, who will lift the glitter ball trophy?
Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure – we'll be glued to our screens every step of the way. So, grab your scorecards and get ready to cha-cha-cha!
Previous Strictly Winners 2004-2024
| Year | Winners |
|---|---|
| 2004 (July) | Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole |
| 2004 (December) | Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett |
| 2005 | Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova |
| 2006 | Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy |
| 2007 | Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler |
| 2008 | Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup |
| 2009 | Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan |
| 2010 | Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev |
| 2011 | Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani |
| 2012 | Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace |
| 2013 | Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Škorjanec |
| 2014 | Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev |
| 2015 | Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani |
| 2016 | Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton |
| 2017 | Joe McFadden and Katya Jones |
| 2018 | Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton |
| 2019 | Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse |
| 2020 | Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse |
| 2021 | Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice |
| 2022 | Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał |
| 2023 | Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola |
| 2025 | Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell |
Don't forget that all major bookmakers in the UK will also be offering odds on a host of other events.
So whether it's the Mercury Music Prize, Sports Personality Of The Year, or even I'm A Celeb, they have them all!