Strictly Come Dancing announces two new professional dancers
The BBC series has tapped two rising stars from the US and Australia.
Strictly Come Dancing has added two new professionals to its line-up for 2025 as the speculation mill about this year's celebrity participants starts to turn.
The BBC competition has recruited American pro Alexis Warr and Australian talent Julian Caillon for the forthcoming edition of the series, which challenges familiar faces to master a wide range of ballroom dances.
Warr is best known for winning the 2022 edition of US-based competition show So You Think You Can Dance, beating contemporary performer Keaton Kermode in the final to become the show's first ballroom victor.
Meanwhile, Caillon has seen his own fair share of television success, serving as a professional dancer on three seasons of Australia's Dancing with the Stars, the international counterpart to Strictly Come Dancing.
He departed the show after 2022's All-Star season, where he danced for the second time with Gogglebox Australia pundit Angie Kent, but was eliminated in only the second week.
Both Warr and Caillon have performed at Blackpool Tower's world-famous ballroom, and will be hoping to do so again this year when Strictly Come Dancing returns to the iconic location in its later stages.
On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Warr said: "I've admired Strictly for years, so joining this incredible family is such an honour. I can't wait to step into the ballroom, pour my heart into every moment, and share my love of dance with the UK."
Caillon commented: "Joining the cast of Strictly really is a dream come true. I've watched it for years, especially cheering on all the amazing dancers I know and work with who've been part of it.
"I can't wait to get stuck in, have some fun, and be part of something special!"
Alexis and Julian will join BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills shortly after 8am tomorrow morning (Monday 28th July 2025) to discuss their imminent work on Strictly Come Dancing 2025. Tune in to be introduced to the new professionals.
Sarah James, executive producer for BBC Studios, added: "We've been big fans of Alexis and Julian for some time so it's with great excitement that we now welcome them both to the Strictly family.
"They're two incredible dancers with bright futures ahead of them, and we know viewers are going to love getting to know them both."
Strictly Come Dancing is yet to confirm its 2025 line-up, but rumoured contestants for the upcoming season so far include Neighbours alum Stefan Dennis, television presenter Angellica Bell and reality star Stacey Solomon.
This year's other Strictly Come Dancing professionals were announced in April.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 is coming soon to BBC One.
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Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
