Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has been announced as the very first Strictly Come Dancing contestant for 2025, but the sprinter has been competing at the highest level in the UK since he was a teenager

Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has been confirmed as the first celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025, in a surprise announcement that saw him prank CBBC Newsround viewers.

THE BBC have announced the first star to be taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. In fact, The Sun were the first to reveal that this famous BBC star would be taking part, before

The Olympic sprinter-turned-Gladiators star revealed his participation in the dancing show during an appearance on BBC's Newsround on Monday. Harry, 36, got his first taste of Strictly when he competed in the show's Christmas special with dancer Nancy Xu in December last year,

The inaugural contestant for Strictly Come Dancing's 2025 series has been unveiled as Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. The sportsman - recognised as Nitro on the BBC programme - made his announcement during this morning's CBBC Newsround appearance.

Get set to shimmy on your sofa as Strictly Come Dancing returns to iPlayer and BBC One in autumn 2025. Expect unforgettable group routines, world class music acts, theme weeks and of course the much-anticipated annual trip to the iconic and much-loved Tower Ballroom in Blackpool!

Autumn is clearly just around the corner because the Strictly Come Dancing line-up reveal has begun. All the celebrity names are expected to be announced over the course of this week.

Strictly Come Dancing bosses have confirmed Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey as the first celebrity taking part in the 2025 series after wowing bosses during the 2024 Christmas special