By Sara Baalla

Copyright dailystar

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been eagerly awaiting the new series of the hit BBC dancing competition, which is set to return this weekend. 15 fresh celebrities will take to the famous dancefloor for the first time, as well as being paired up with their professional partners. This year’s cast includes I’m a Celebrity winner Vicky Pattison, Love Island’s Dani Dyer and former Emmerdale star Lewis Cope. The first famous face to be announced as part of the series was Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey , who is better known as Nitro from Gladiators. On joining Strictly , Harry said in a statement: “I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series and I’m ready to give it all I’ve got. I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on track.” Ahead of the new series kicking off this weekend, here’s everything you need to know about Harry. Harry is 37 years old. He was born in Carshalton, London to Ghanaian parents, and studied at Greenshaw High School in Sutton from 2000 to 2006. The star got married to his partner Lauren in 2019, with the pair later welcoming their “mini me” daughter Aubreé-Isla, who has just turned five years old. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday (September 14), Harry wrote: “Can’t believe my little shadow is already 5. She’s grown, got more sass than me, and somehow still manages to be my partner in crime. Being a girl dad… undefeated feeling. Girl dads know, you don’t raise daughters. They raise you.” Harry began his career as a sprinter, competing at the highest level in the UK since his youth. He later became the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships, and won the 2005 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award at the tender age of 17. Harry has gone on to win gold at the 4x100m relay at the European Championships and at the Commonwealth Games. He has also competed in two Olympic games and is a three-time European Champion and two-time Commonwealth Champion. In 2023, Harry was unveiled as Nitro in the revival of the hit BBC series Gladiators, which is presented by Bradley Walsh and his son, Barney. After winning the hearts of the nation in season one, Harry sadly had to sit out of Gladiators’ second season this year after sustaining a knee injury in training. Harry now juggles his role as a Gladiator with his online fitness coaching, as well as managing a thriving app and his ongoing track competitions. His estimated net worth currently sits at a staggering £3.9 million. This isn’t Harry’s first introduction into the world of Strictly as he previously took part in last year’s Christmas special with professional dancer Nancy Xu. However, the pair are unlikely to be reunited this year as Nancy is reportedly not receiving a celebrity partner. Ahead of this year’s series beginning, Harry currently sits at a comfortable 16/1 in the odds to win, just behind frontrunners Lewis Cope, Ellie Goldstein and Dani Dyer. Odds expert Dave James said: “As a Team GB sprinter, Harry has speed, strength, and explosive energy on his side. The question will be whether he can channel that athleticism into the control and grace required for Strictly’s more elegant numbers. Harry has the athleticism for the lifts and spins, but he’ll need to prove he’s more than just power.” Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One at 6.40pm on Saturday, September 20