To think the Strictly celebrity line up is absolutely dire this year?

[KimberleyClark]

I’ve heard of 3 out of the 15 “celebrities”. If this is the best they can come up with then the show must be on its last legs. I think the brand must have been fatally damaged by the business with Giovanni and Graziano.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/articles/2025/strictly-come-dancing-2025-celebrity-contestants-confirmed

It's about the same as usual I think. Actually I know 6 which is a lot more than I usually do. I never know the soap stars, sports people or you tubers. It's a really similar mix to recent years, including the one controversial pick.

I recognise Alex Kingston and the chap from Neighbours. It’s been running for over 20 years so time for something new I imagine. I don’t watch it.

Well I don’t think Wynette Evan’s helped the brand either.

It is quite normal for me to inky know a few of the Celebrities though. There is always one YouTube/SM star these days, never heard of most of them. I don’t have much interest in sport so rarely know the Cricketers, Rugby Players or Footballers and the only soap i watch is Corrie so usually I don’t know the soap stars either.

But I do! And I still love it! I want it for another 20 years…!

The thing about Strictly is that it doesn’t matter that much how famous or not the “celebrities” are once the competition gets going.
I find myself often enjoying those I have never heard of far more than well known names and faces.

I sincerely hope it is " on its last legs".

I've never watched the damned show but am heartly sick of it and all the talk about it and all the scandal and surrounding it.

I hope if it is scrapped it is quickly followed by the odious Love Island. Again a show I've never watched but which it's almost impossible to get away from and which seems to be based on a truly sick concept.

Agree op. Terrible line up.
My husband worked on the show for many years and back when they had actual
‘ celebrities’.
Nit even a clue who the majority of this line up now other than the bloke from Neighbours. Talking about scraping the barrel.

Strictly is the only reality TV show I watch. Love Island sounds awful.

Not even 😂

This could be the same thread for the last few series !

I'm old and know 9 of them, it's probably a very average line up.

It’s very tired now. I used to watch it, but the formula is old, celebs are no such thing and what with all the bad press they should just let it slip away.

A drag queen. JFC when is that going to be put back in the adult entertainment bucket! Bloody hate drag. I usually
love Strictly, now I have to watch a parody of women every week.

This is such a joyless comment, I’ve never watched either show and probably never will but I know both shows are watched and enjoyed by millions of people so the idea they should be taken off just because you’re annoyed about hearing it about it’s ridiculous.

I think I'll dip in and out this year. It's going to be so tiresome if everyone calls the drag queen "she" all the time.

Not that I watch it but Stefan Dennis is the only one I've heard of.

I only recognise 6 this year usually I know 8-10. I’d say there’s definitely less well known people this year . No boy/girl band members and no comedians it’s all soap/sport/reality tv stars.

A bit lacklustre, but I’ve watched SCD since the first series so no doubt will tune in.
I do miss the old days though.
I’m guessing the controversies and allegations of recent times have made it more difficult signing up more well-known contestants.

And bloody YouTube influencers. I don’t blame actual proper celebrities for thinking it looks like more hassle, pressure and reputational risk than it’s worth though.

Haven’t watched it for years but will definitely be watching this year for Ellie Goldstein. I have a DC with Down’s Syndrome so think she’s an inspiration !

I love strictly, for me it’s a cosy weekend watch heading into Christmas and the winter BUT after the last couple of years with the bullying accusations, sexual comments and now the drugs accusations on top of a list of ‘celebrities’ I’ve not heard of……I’m not watching this year for the first time ever.

It's the " hearing about" these shows ad nauseum that is the problem.
The general public have them rammed down their throats and it's literally impossible to ignore their existence.

And the fact is they aren't harmless, fun shows. They have caused a lot of damage to the people involved in them and the life style that Love Island promotes is frankly concerning.

I don't see what is " joyless" about expressing my opinion. Just because a lot of people apparently enjoy and watch these shows doesn't mean we all have to be sheep and not have a different view.

I love Strictly and watch every year even if I don’t know all of the celebs. In fact it’s quite nice as you find out more about them as the season goes on. I suspect not many working celebs can dedicate the time - basically 3 months - of daily training to the show.

I think it would be nice to switch it to non-celebs. Normal people with day to day lives (with no dance training!) learning to dance and competing. Maybe with a cash prize at the end.

But it's about 'the journey' surely ?

Yanbu 😄

I'll watch but I won't be at all committed