Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro, is stepping out of the Gladiators arena and jiving into the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom.

The athlete, who appeared in last year’s Strictly Christmas special, is back for this year’s main series after impressing viewers and the judges.

Here’s everything you need to know about Strictly Come Dancing‘s Harry, from his sporting achievements and TV career, to family life.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Who is Nitro or Harry Aikines-Aryeetey?

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was born on August 29, 1988, in Carshalton, Surrey, to Ghanaian parents. This makes him 37 years old. As a teenager, he attended Greenshaw High School in nearby Sutton.

Harry showed a natural talent for running from a young age. According to Team England, he realised his speed when running away quickly from a ferocious dog! By 2003, he had set an Under-14s record for 100m.

At age 17, Harry began making headlines after winning gold in both the 100m and 200m at the 2005 World Youth Championships. This incredible feat earned him the coveted title of BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.

Previous winners of the prestigious BBC title included footballer Wayne Rooney and tennis player Andy Murray. Both went on to be top of their field in their respective sports.

At the time of winning, Harry said: “I’d just like to thank everyone who has helped me. Hopefully, there is more to come.” And he wasn’t wrong. Harry was also awarded the IAFF’s Rising Star of the Year award in the same year.

Harry’s sporting achievements

Over the next decade, Harry collected medals across some of the biggest athletics stages. He won bronze in the 4x100m relay at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. At the 2014 European Championships in Zürich, he took bronze in the 100m and gold in the 4x100m relay.

Harry repeated relay golds in 2018 and 2022 in European competitions, and added two more relay golds for England at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and 2022.

With personal bests of 10.00s for 100m and 20.46s for 200m, Harry’s speed and consistency made him one of Britain’s young stand-outs in sprinting.

Strictly Harry’s Olympic debut

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey made his Olympic debut with Team GB in 2008. He was selected for the 4x100m relay team at the Beijing Games. But Harry ended up in the non-competing team due to previous injuries. Harry had suffered minor fractures in his spine that required an 11-month recovery period.

Harry returned to the world’s biggest stage eight years later at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. This time, he was able to compete for Team GB. Harry ran in the 4×100 relay. Team GB finished in 5th place.

Why is Strictly’s Harry called Nitro?

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was selected as one of the new Gladiators when the classic 90s TV show was rebooted. The show switched from its original home on ITV and debuted on BBC One in January 2024. Harry is known by his Gladiators name, Nitro, to fans.

Harry previously told BBC’ Newsround: “Our personalities choose our names. You know, I was born Nitro. I’m full of energy. Nitro is a compound you can find in nitro methane, nitro oxide, nitro glycerin… it’s an explosive compound.

Explaining the reason behind his Gladiators moniker, Harry said: “I’m fast, I’m powerful and I’m also a social butterfly. The same way that you might say Legend is a legend for the wrong reasons. Viper being Viper because he’s a bit snakey. Our names are us. Once you look deep within yourself, you find our Gladiator.”

Harry will be back in the Gladiators arena when the BBC show returns in 2026. He is also the host of spin-off CBBC series, Gladiators: Epic Pranks.

Harry has also appeared on MTV’s Celebs on the Farm and he finished fourth in BBC’s Celebrity MasterChef last year. He’s also taken part in Richard Osman’s House of Games on BBC One.

Is Strictly’s Harry – aka Nitro – married? 

Harry is married to wife Lauren. The couple tied the knot in 2019. The couple are parents to five-year-old daughter, Aubree-Isla. And their little girl is said to be a big fan of Strictly Come Dancing!

Aubree-Isla celebrated her fifth birthday just days before her dad’s Strictly debut. Writing on Instagram, he said: “Can’t believe my little shadow is already 5. She’s grown, got more sass than me, and somehow still manages to be my partner in crime. Being a girl dad… undefeated feeling. Girl dads know, you don’t raise daughters, they raise you.”

Harry often shares glimpses of his family on social media, alongside workout and fitness posts. 

Harry’s Strictly comeback

Harry is back on Strictly Come Dancing to turn last year’s Christmas special success into a full run for the Glitterball Trophy. He was partnered with pro dancer Nancy Xu on the festive show. Together, they earned a top score of 37 for their street-commercial routine to The Waitresses’ festive hit, Christmas Wrapping.

Fans will remember him for his impressive lifts, showing off the strength that makes him a Gladiator. The pair narrowly missed out on the Glitterball Trophy, which went to drag artist Tayce and pro dancer Kai Widderington.

Speaking about his Strictly return, Harry said: “After the Christmas special, it was so nice I just had to do it twice! I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series, and I’m ready to give it all I’ve got. I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor.”

In the lead up to Strictly, Harry has bee hinting at his routines and discussing his biggest challenges online. This includes mastering ballroom dancing. He hopes to perform like the Backstreet Boys classic, Everybody.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025’s celebrities 

Harry – aka Nitro – is competing against 14 other stars on Strictly Come Dancing 2025. These include reality TV favourites Dani Dyer and Vicky Pattison, and football ace Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

The line-up also features Balvinder Sopal, George Clarke, La Voix, Chris Robshaw, and Karen Carney. Neighbours’ Stefan Dennis is taking part, along with ER’s Alex Kingston and showbiz reporter Ross King.

The Apprentice’s Thomas Skinner and model and actress Ellie Goldstein are taking part. Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope has stepped in for Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn.

When Does Strictly Come Dancing Start?

The new series kicks off on Saturday, September 20, 2025, airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The live launch show will see last year’s winners, Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, reunite for a final waltz. Pop star Jessie J, who is receiving treatment for breast cancer, will also perform.

The main competition kicks off the following week. There will be a live show each Saturday, followed by the Sunday Results show. Strictly Come Dancing 2025 will run up to Christmas.

Read More: Strictly Come Dancing 2025: How to vote for your favourite celebrity after the BBC makes a big change.

Strictly Come Dancing starts on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday, September 20, 2025.