Who Will Take Part In Strictly Come Dancing 2025?

Strictly Come Dancing is no stranger to hiring a former footballer contestant - but none have made the final just yet. 

Ex-Premier League star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is one of the latest names linked to the Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman-fronted show, and he will no doubt be hoping to improve on that stat. 

Former Arsenal and Aston Villa star Paul Merson was the latest ex pro footballer to swap the pitch for the paso doble, but he was eliminated fourth in series 22. 

Two years before Merson, his former Arsenal colleague Tony Adams had a go - and he defied the odds on betting sites after avoiding elimination for six weeks. 

The ex-England star eventually withdrew hurt from the competition. 

Jimmy In Contention 

Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker Jimmy will be hoping to do even better later this year, after he was linked to the Latin and ballroom programme. 

A TV source told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "Jimmy has a huge fanbase from his years playing in the Premier League and is a very likeable character.

"Show producers are always keen to book a retired footballer as it gets footie fans tuning into the series and becoming unlikely fans of the show.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Odds To Take Part:

"Jimmy has a competitive edge and is going to get his head in the game."

The former Blues star is now 8/13 favourite on betting apps to land a spot in this year's Strictly line-up, just in front of Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah (4/6), who is said to be in early negotiations. 

A source recently told The Sun newspaper: "Bosses would love to sign him up but the talks are at a very early stage."

Hammers On The Dancefloor 

One star who is said to be at a more advanced stage of Strictly talks is former Love Islander Dani Dyer. 

Also known as the daughter of ex-EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, Dani - who recently married West Ham United footballer Jarrod Bowen - is just 8/11 to take part in this year's Strictly series. 

A show insider told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "Bosses are thrilled she’s agreed to take part and are ironing out her fee.

"She’s bubbly, down-to-earth and straight-talking and producers reckon she’ll make an ideal contestant - not to mention the bonus of having Jarrod and dad Danny in the audience supporting her."

There could be another East End connection on this year's Strictly if former Apprentice star and West Ham fan Tom Skinner joins the show.

The businessman is 11/10 to take part in the BBC series, and his namesake, Queen Camilla's son Tom Parker Bowles is 13/8. 

Corrie On Dancing 

Another star who might find Strictly to be right up her (Coronation) Street is Helen Flanagan. 

The former Corrie actress is 5/6 fourth favourite to join the series. 

When asked if she would ever appear in a reality TV show again, she recently told the Elle Sera podcast: "I don't think so. I mean I'd absolutely love to do Strictly at some point. 

"Yeah, I mean I'd be a rubbish dancer, don't get me wrong.

"I remember actually I was offered to do Strictly Come Dancing when I think I was 22, and I was offered Strictly Come Dancing or the jungle.

"For some reason, I chose the jungle. I mean, it worked out well for me in the end.

"I actually think though sometimes, I was very young, I think the older the better when you do reality shows.

"I think sometimes when you're really young, you don't deal with things the same."

However, Helen is aware there is a huge competition for places on Strictly. 

She added: "I'd love to do Strictly Come Dancing at one point. I'd absolutely love to, but it's such a popular show. You know there's so many people that would love to do it."

Others in contention for this year's series include former Made in Chelsea star Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo (6/4) and Gladiators star Nitro (7/4). 

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.