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Ross King on Strictly 2025: The Unexpected Early Journey of the Hollywood Correspondent Scottish broadcaster Ross King, the 13th celebrity announced for the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing, has become the focus of intense audience discussion following a challenging start to the competition. The ITV veteran, paired with professional dancer Jowita Przystał, has openly addressed his struggle with technique, revealing he considered withdrawing early in rehearsals. Despite placing at the bottom of the leader board in the opening weeks, his candid and emotional performances have secured a strong public following, highlighting the perennial Strictly tension between technical merit and viewer engagement. Mr. King, known to millions as the Los Angeles correspondent for Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, entered the competition with significant fanfare, adding a dose of Hollywood glamour to the fifteenth series lineup. However, his initial performances have suggested his career in front of the camera did not translate easily to the ballroom floor. Following his Week One Cha-Cha-Cha, which garnered one of the lowest opening scores in recent memory, the 63-year-old was placed in a precarious position. The subsequent emotional narrative surrounding his Week Two Waltz, performed to The Proclaimers' track ‘Sunshine on Leith’, has since transformed his challenge into one of the series' most compelling storylines. The Poster Boy for Non-Dancers Appearing on the BBC Two spin-off show It Takes Two, King confessed that the initial reality of learning complex choreography led to a moment of significant doubt.
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“It's true – I have never danced. I genuinely can’t dance,” he stated, reflecting on his first few days of training. “At one point I did genuinely go, ‘Maybe I need to put my hand up and go, this is not for me. ’ Because I just didn't think I'd even get through the actual routine from start to finish. ” This honesty resonated with the audience, establishing him not as a strong competitor, but as a relatable figure embodying the show’s spirit of self-improvement and overcoming hurdles. The narrative peaked with his emotional second performance, which saw King break down in tears after paying tribute to his Scottish heritage and late parents during the pre-recorded video package. Although the judges awarded him 15 points—a marginal improvement over the debut score of 10—Head Judge Shirley Ballas and the panel praised his visible dedication, noting he was the "most improved" dancer of the week. Analysing Public Appeal The discrepancy between the judges’ scores and the public's emotional investment in King’s journey has reignited the annual debate over what constitutes success on Strictly. While the technical panel, including Craig Revel Horwood, continues to focus strictly on footwork, timing, and frame, audience votes appear to be driven by connection and entertainment.
Dr. Eleanor Vance, a cultural analyst specialising in broadcast entertainment at the University of London, noted that King represents a valuable archetype for the show. "The 'journey' contestant is critical to Strictly's long-term success. Ross King embodies the aspirational side of the format—that anyone, regardless of age or prior experience, can attempt something technically demanding and find joy in it," Dr. Vance explained. "His high vulnerability and emotional connection to the music, especially that Waltz, provide 'watercooler moments' that boost viewing figures, even if the dancing itself isn't pristine. He is giving the audience permission to struggle and still smile, which is incredibly endearing. " Sources close to the BBC production team, speaking anonymously, suggested that the producers are pleased with the depth of the public’s response to King. "Ross has surprised everyone.
We knew he was a warm personality, but the sheer volume of support he’s generating on social media is disproportionate to his position on the leader board. It validates the decision to include celebrities who are not professional performers but who have compelling stories to tell," the source commented. The Challenge Ahead Despite the overwhelming public support, bookmakers have placed Ross King as the celebrity most likely to face the first dance-off, scheduled for the Sunday results show. King’s combined score of 25 points after two weeks puts him at the bottom of the combined leader board, meaning he is heavily reliant on the public vote to bypass the elimination process. The stakes remain high for the Scottish star. He candidly admitted his aim is to inspire others, stating: “I want to be the poster boy, poster older man for people who can't dance but want to dance. ” As the competition moves into its third week, the attention remains firmly fixed on the public vote. If King survives the first cut, it will confirm the audience’s preference for character, heart, and the sheer effort of the underdog over flawless execution. His trajectory will continue to define the early shape of the 2025 series, setting the benchmark for how far pure emotional investment can carry a contestant in the face of rigorous technical judging.
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