Dani Dyer is the early favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing 2025 - but her place on the show has been called into question
Dani Dyer has previously claimed she would list "qualified dancer" on her CV as she prepares to join the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. Love Island star Dani is already a favourite to win the show and has openly discussed her dance training, which began when she was only two years old.
Article continues below
This revelation may raise questions about whether she has an unfair advantage over other celebrity contestants who are beginners in dance. Last year, trained dancer Tasha Ghouri faced criticism for her previous dance experience, with some fans calling her participation a 'fix'. The news comes as three more celebrities, including model Ellie Goldstein, have been announced for this year's series.
Article continues below
In her 2019 book, Dani revealed that she attended O'Farrell's Stage School on weekends from the age of two until she was 14, where her talent for dancing became apparent. "It was called O'Farrell's Stage School and I was a really good little dancer," she confessed.
Article continues below
A Metro train being scrapped
"I'm not a bad singer but it was the dance stuff I loved more - jazz, tap, ballet, modern. I'd get home and prance around the house.", reports the Mirror.
In another section of her book, she created a mock CV where she listed her qualifications as: "Qualified dancer and pretty good at singing (especially Dua Lipa or Ariana Grande at the top of her voice while cleaning the kitchen)."
Strictly Come Dancing faced controversy last year when Love Island's Tasha, 27, who had previous dance training, was signed up for the show. Actress Sarah Hadland and JLS' JB Gill were also accused of having an unfair advantage due to their prior experience.
Article continues below
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info
However, none of these contestants went on to win the competition, which was instead claimed by the first blind contestant, Chris McCausland. In her book, she expressed her aspirations of one day being a part of the BBC show, saying: "If Strictly Come Dancing want to give me a call I'd also be happy to be whisked around the dance floor."
At the time, Dani voiced her concerns about the infamous 'Strictly curse', as she was in a relationship with Love Island co-star Jack Fincham. She also mentioned that she has made a friend in judge Shirley Ballas during a Comic Relief trek, describing her as "just the most graceful, lovely person".
Dani's journey into performing arts wasn't smooth sailing, as she reveals in her bestselling book What Would Dani Do? My Guide to Living Your Best Life. At the age of nine, she auditioned for a role in the stage adaptation of Billy Elliot but was turned down.
Article continues below
However, it was her father, Danny, 48, known for his roles in The Human Traffic, Football Factory, EastEnders and Rivals, who gave her her first break in the industry.
"It was so nerve-wracking and when I didn't get the part I was beside myself," she penned. "I cried all the way home. Mum bought me chunky chips and barbecue sauce to cheer me up, and I ate them with a plastic fork out of the container.
"Neither she nor my dad wanted me going for auditions for a few years after that. Dad clearly saw something in me though, because a few years later he asked me to play a part in a film he was doing called Vendetta.
Article continues below
"It was a bit random and out of the blue because I was at college (I studied musical theatre for a year but then dropped out) and he rang me up the day before filming to say that the actress who had been due to play the part had pulled out – she was meant to do a scene where she's dragged out of a car, but she'd found out she was pregnant so now didn't want to do it.
"So, Dad said it was mine if I wanted it. 'Babe, I don't know if you fancy it but I've got this little role at the beginning of my film Vendetta?' Obviously, I did!".
Dani subsequently won Love Island in 2018 with Jack Fincham. They parted ways six months later. In May Dani wed West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen, 28, in a grand ceremony. The couple have twin daughters Summer and Sky, two.
Article continues below
Dani has son Santiago, four, from a previous relationship. Dani is the 4/1 favourite to win the Glitterball Trophy of the nine celebrities announced. YouTuber George Clarke is the second-favourite at 6/1.
Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes commented: "Dani Dyer is the current pick of this year's Strictly pack, but with contestants still to be announced, we could soon see someone waltz past her to the head of the betting."
