It comes as they prepare to make their ballroom debut as the hit BBC show returns this September
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 stars Stephen Dennis and Vicky Pattison (Image: ITV)
The star of the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing has shared an emotional farewell as they prepare to make their ballroom debut.
Actor Stephen Dennis is among 15 celebrities set to hit the dance floor later this month when the BBC One Dance competition returns for its 23rd series.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will soon be back as hosts, while Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke will return to the judging panel.
Those who follow the hit show will also know which professional dancers will be returning to the ballroom this year. In April, it was confirmed that Amy Dowden, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Nikita Kuzmin, Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez and Luba Mushtuk were involved in the 2025 series.
Dianne Buswell, Katya Jones, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Michelle Tsiakkas, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola will also make their way to the ballroom.
They will be joined by two brand new professional dancers, So You Think You Can Dance champion Alexis Warr and Australian Dancing with the Stars’ Julianne Kylon.
Meanwhile, there will also be a host of new famous faces set to take to the ballroom floor, including Neighbours star Stephen, who is famous for playing Paul Robinson in the Australian soap.
He originated the role in the first episode in 1985 and appeared in over 6,000 episodes during the 40 years the show was on the air.
But his argument about strictly meaning a period of time away from home is below and beyond and in a post shared on Instagram, Stephen’s wife Gail Easdale revealed she was saying goodbye.
Alongside a picture of packed suitcases and other luggage, she wrote: “It’s going to be the longest 4 months but I’m going home to make room for the trophy @bbcstrictly.” Stephen then replied: “I’ll miss you with all my heart over the next four months.
Stefan and his wife Gail (Image: Stefan Dennis Instagram)
And fans were quick to show their support. Eighboursforever_oficial said: “Good luck Stephen and he’s going to bring the trophy home.” @allaboutem97 commented: “The UK will look after him and hopefully time will fly by before he’s home with that trophy ready to go to the pride of the place.”
@princessazzle wrote: “We’ll take care of him for you Gail XX Safe Journey.” @Abbasteve71 replied: “Yes, can’t wait to see Strictly. Stefan is a winner. Britain loves him.” @andielcfcsutton added: “@Stefandennis7 will definitely get my vote, he’s been in my life for over 40 years on and off and is a legend.”
Stephen and Gail, who played their business nemesis Julie Quill in Neighbours in 2016 and then reprised the role in 2021, tied the knot in 2000. They have three children – Cameron, Declan and Darci.
The couple met while they were performing in a pantomime in London, but didn’t get together until several years later because he was still in a relationship with Gail Blakeney, the actor who played his second wife, Christina, on Neighbours.
