Overview

• He was the first confirmed contestant for this year’s Strictly after a high-profile turn as Nitro on BBC’s Gladiators.
• Aikines-Aryeetey says he has fully recovered from last summer’s ruptured kneecap that required surgery and six weeks’ bed rest.
• His Strictly return follows a 2024 Christmas Special appearance with Nancy Xu, where he finished joint second with a score of 37.
• He is training with a professional partner to be revealed on the launch show and says he wants to be a diligent “model student.”
• He suggests younger Gladiators and CBBC viewers could help in the public vote, with live shows scheduled to start on September 27.