By Emily Maskell
Copyright thepinknews
Get out your sequins! Strictly Come Dancing 2025 is back, and the betting odds are dramatic, to say the least.
Who’s got their dance shoes laced and who is looking to be departing early? The iconic BBC show’s 23rd series is waltzing back onto our screens very soon.
Here’s everything you need to know about this Strictly Come Dancing 2025 ahead of the launch show tomorrow (20 September):
What are the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 betting odds?
Ahead of the first episode of 2025’s Strictly Come Dancing, new betting odds give predictions on the winner and first elimination.
Currently, according to OddsChecker, Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope (11/4) has been named the frontrunner for this year.
He’s being closely followed by Love Island favourite Dani Dyer (9/2), model Ellie Goldstein (11/2) and LGBTQ+ ally George Clarke (9/1).
Then, on the other end of the table, the first elimination predictions are led by showbiz presenter Ross King (5/2).
Close on his suit tails are former rugby player Chris Robshaw (3/1) and former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (5/1).
Are there any same-sex pairings on Strictly Come Dancing 2025?
Sadly, the same as last year, there are no same-sex dance pairings on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The show featured its first same-sex pairings in 2020 with Katya Jones and Nicola Adams.
The following year, Johannes Radebe and Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite reached the final.
In 2022, Karen Hauer and Jayde Adams took to the dance floor together, and the last same-sex coupling was in 2023 with Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin. They finished as joint runners-up.
Are there LGBTQ+ stars on Strictly Come Dancing 2025?
This year, there are very few out LGBTQ+ stars, with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK finalist La Voix doing it for the gays!
La Voix will make history as the show’s first drag queen contestant on a full-length season.
She told PinkNews that while Drag Race was a “bonkers experience”, Strictly is “exciting” but also “petrifying.”
She continued: “I might be the only person ever going on Strictly that’s going to be dressing down for the live shows, let’s be honest. I wear sequins on a daily basis.”
Previously, La Voix was set to be joined by gay Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn. However, he had to pull out of the competition for medical reasons.
Furthermore, in lieu of queer stars, LGBTQ+ ally George Clarke will take to the dance floor. Clarke hosts The Useless Hotline podcast alongside gay British influencer, Max Balegde.
In 2023, Clarke was part of Garnier’s Pride campaign, highlighting the importance of his role as an LGBTQ+ ally.
Also, EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal is in this year’s Strictly line-up. EastEnders fans will know Sopal as Suki, a character who is in a relationship with Eve Unwin, played by lesbian actress Heather Peace.
Suki and Eve kicked off 2025 by tying the knot in the show’s New Year’s Day episode. They became the first lesbian couple to marry on the soap, which has been running for 40 years.
When does Strictly Come Dancing start?
Strictly Come Dancing kicks off for its 2025 edition on Saturday 20 September.
The launch show will see the 15 new faces be paired with their professional dancers.
Available on iPlayer and BBC One, the show will debut at 6:40pm.
