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Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has been confirmed as the first celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025, in a surprise announcement that saw him prank CÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Newsround viewers.

Flexing his reputation as a star of Gladiators: Epic Pranks, Harry appeared live in the Newsround studio disguised as world-renowned choreographer Nicky Trott, who was there to talk about recent work with scientists on a study about the benefits of dancing every day. His disguise was not enough to fool Newsround presenter Jenny Lawrence, who quickly rumbled who she was really talking to. Harry then gave the real reason he was there: to tell the world he’s taking part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing!

Produced by ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Studios, Strictly will return to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ iPlayer for its new series this September.

• More: Strictly Come Dancing 2025 - find out everything you need to know about the new series
• Meet the new Professional Dancers joining the Strictly family in 2025
• Watch Strictly Come Dancing on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ iPlayer and add to your Watchlist

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is an Olympian, multi gold medal-winning Team GB sprinter, and star of Gladiators. As a sprinter he has competed at the highest level in the UK since his youth, becoming the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships, and winning the 2005 ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Young Sports Personality of the Year award aged 17. Harry has gone on to win gold in the 4x100m relay at the European Championships and at the Commonwealth Games. He has 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 hit ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ series Gladiators, and he took part in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special partnered with Nancy Xu.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey says: "After the Christmas Special, it was so nice I just had to do it twice! 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 the track."

The next three celebrity contestants joining the new series of Strictly will be announced live on The One Show on Monday 11 August from 7pm ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ iPlayer.

Strictly Come Dancing is a ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Studios Entertainment production for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ iPlayer and was commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. The Executive Producer is Sarah James, and the Series Editors are Nicola Fitzgerald and Jack Gledhill. The Commissioning Editor for the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ is Jo Wallace.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ iPlayer this September. Add Strictly to your watchlist on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ iPlayer now.

GK

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