Who is Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink? Meet Strictly Come Dancing contestant and football manager
Jimmy and Lauren Oakley will be an American Smooth this weekend.
It's Strictly Come Dancing time! Among the celebrities in this year's line-up is Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who is stepping out of his comfort zone by taking part on the show.
After a lower score of 21 in Week 1, Jimmy and dance partner Lauren Oakley have managed to consistently improve on their score week upon week as the series progresses, finishing with a total of 29 in the latest episode. Could the duo finally break into the 30s in Icons Week?
Speaking to Radio Times magazine about joining the show, Jimmy said: "Football, for me, is so easy. Dancing is out of my comfort zone. But that's a good thing. When you stop playing football, you're not really in that competitive kind of world. It's nice to dip back in."
As we wait to find out how Jimmy will fare as the competition heats up, read on to learn more about the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 contestant.
Who is Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink?
Age: 53
Job: Former professional footballer
Instagram: @official_jhasselbaink
Partner: Lauren Oakley
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a former professional footballer and football manager who many will know from his career in the Premier League and across Europe.
Across his career, Jimmy played for clubs including Leeds United, Atlético Madrid and Chelsea, and has earned a reputation for his power, pace and precision.
Since he retired, Jimmy has remained in the footballing space, offering punditry across major UK sports networks and has managed the likes of Burton Albion and Northampton Town, and has served as an assistant coach for the England national team.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's Strictly journey so far
Scoreboard
Week 1: Quickstep (6+7+7+7) = 27
Week 2: Cha Cha (6+6+6+7) = 25
Week 3: Rumba (7+7+6+8) = 28
Week 4: Couple's Choice (6+8+7+8) = 29
What is Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink dancing to in Icons Week on Strictly?
Jimmy and his partner Lauren Oakley are performing an American Smooth to Purple Rain by Prince.
What has Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink said about Strictly Come Dancing?
The news of Jimmy joining the Strictly line-up was revealed during The One Show, alongside announcements for Dani Dyer and Alex Kingston.
Speaking of joining the cast, Jimmy said: "Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals."
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 25th October at 6:25pm.
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Authors
Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.
