Strictly celebrity pairings 'revealed' and one star who could be 'benched'

The complete lineup for the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing has been officially revealed and eagle-eyed viewers reckon they have sussed out one same-sex pairing as well as all of the other pairings.

The programme is set to make its comeback this autumn, with Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairnamongst the confirmed celebrity contestants. The-49 year-old, who also works as a renowned DJ, stands at an impressive six foot nine inches tall.

The BBC dancing show typically matches famous faces with professional dancers based on height compatibility. It comes after it was revealed that Vicky Pattison suffered a gruelling health issue just days into training.

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Now, one dedicated viewer posted online that they believe they have cracked it for this very reason, predicting that Kristian will be matched with a male professional.

They wrote: "Given his height, maybe there's a chance he gets a male pro? Even the taller female pros will still be nearly a foot shorter than him. Excited to see him, always struck me as a lovely guy in interviews."

Another fan responding to the theory suggested: "Maybe he'll get Johannes?". A third also agreed: "Wow, was not expecting this. Rooting for him and excited to see how they will work around the height difference."

Elsewhere on the show this year will be Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Balvinder Sopal, George Clarke, La Voix, Chris Robshaw, Ellie Goldstein, Thomas Skinner, Stefan Dennis, Ross King, and Karen Carney.

Ahead of the brand-new series, several fans of the BBC show have now predicted what professionals will be paired with what celebrities.

On one Reddit thread which has already raked up hundreds of likes, one Strictly fan wrote: "I feel like these will all be paired together.

"Alex Kingston and Aljaz Skorjanec, Balvinder Sopal and Neil Jones, Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova, Dani Dyer and Julian Caillon, Ellie Goldstein and Nikita Kuzmin, and George Clarke and Alexis Warr."

The Reddit user went on: "Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Lauren Oakley, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Dianne Buswell, Karen Carney and Vito Coppola, Kristian Nairn and Carlos Gu, La Voix and Kai Widdrington, Ross King and Jowita Przystal.

"Stefan Dennis and Karen Hauer, Thomas Skinner and Luba Mushtuk, and Vicky Pattison and Johannes Radebe."

The Strictly Come Dancing fan went on to add their predictions of what dancers might be 'benched' this year as they wrote: "Gorka (obviously), Amy, Katya, Nancy and Michelle.

"The reason I suggested these pairing predictions is because Katya has been through enough scandals already especially the Wynne Evans situation last year so best to leave her on the bench to prevent more controversy.

"It's about time Vito challenges himself with someone with not as much dance experience or a fair amount of rhythm so Karen Carney would be possible.

"Even though Karen Hauer is the oldest female pro still going, I feel Stefan Dennis would be a possible contender for her as this may well be her last year on the show (unless she wants to set the record to overtake Brendan's 15 series and Anton's 18 series then fair enough).

"It would also be best if Amy sits this series out to prioritise her health and well being."

However, another user disagreed that Katya would be benched for the upcoming series. "I'd be incredibly surprised if Katya was benched. If her controversies were seen as bad enough to not have her compete, I reckon they would just advise her to quit.

"From a producing standpoint, Katya may bring controversy, but that controversy brings views and engagement. She has never actually caused issues herself really, its her partners that do it and she gets wrapped up in it.

"She's still one of the most popular pros regardless of any controversy, which just shows how good she is. Plus, she is one of the best choreographers, and one of the most consistently entertaining. I'd say that Jowita is the only other female pro that's consistently on the same level."

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