Former Premier League Footballer Hasselbaink Reportedly Joins Strictly Come Dancing 2025

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, the former Premier League footballer and ex-England coach, is reportedly set to join the 2025 season of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, trading his football boots for dancing shoes. At 53, the Dutch football icon could follow in the footsteps of other sports stars like Robbie Savage, Alex Scott, and Tony Adams who have previously competed on the show. Hasselbaink's participation is expected to attract football fans to the program, as producers appreciate the broad appeal of retired footballers, and insiders note his competitive nature as a strong asset for the competition. Other rumored contestants include Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah, Gladiators' Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, and former Big Brother participant Yinrun Huang. The judging panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke will return for the 23rd series amid concerns about potential controversies given the show's recent troubled history. Meanwhile, the professional dancer lineup features returning stars and two new additions, with the series set to premiere in September 2025.