Strictly Come Dancing contestant Harry Aikines-Aryeetey “won’t be in the 2025 final”, Brendan Cole has predicted. 

The former Strictly professional believes the Gladiator – aka Nitro – will not make it all the way to the end of the series.

Harry, 37, was seen welling up following his first live show performance on Saturday. He told host Tess Daly he was overcome with emotion after battling back from a very bad injury.

Harry had performed an energetic Samba. During the routine, his dance partner, Karen Hauer, stood on his back as he did a series of press-ups. The pair scored 19, placing them in the middle of the leaderboard.

But although Brendan believes the waterworks may pull at some heartstrings, he thinks it is not enough to carry Harry to the final of Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Brendan Cole’s verdict on Harry

Brendan has drawn his conclusion about Harry after comparing him last year’s Strictly Come Dancing winner, Chris McCausland. The comedian, who was partnered with Dianne Buswell, is blind.

Speaking to Sky Vegas, Brendan said: “Harry Aikines-Aryeetey’s personal journey will resonate with audiences but not to the same extent as Chris [McCausland]. Chris had a genuine disability to overcome, and that captured the nation’s heart. An injury, while difficult, doesn’t draw the same level of empathy.

“That said, it was lovely to see him get emotional. People love that on Strictly – it makes the show feel real and it came across as very genuine, which is even better. He seems like such a nice guy, and he deserves his place in the competition.”

Brendan added: “Hopefully he stays in as long as possible, but I don’t see him being there at the end.”

What was Harry on Strictly’s injury?

Harry is a professional sprinter and was part of Team GB at both the 2008 and 2016 Olympic Games. He is also famed for his extremely muscular physique on BBC One‘s Gladiators.

But the sportsman suffered a serious knee injury in late 2023 while training for the Saturday night entertainment show. It meant he had to pull out of series two of Gladiators and wasn’t in it when it launched in January 2024.

Harry told fans at the time: “Speed is my thing, but sometimes life throws a curveball! During training for series 2 earlier this year, I picked up an unexpected knee injury, which means I’ll be shifting gears this series and sitting out the events.

“But don’t worry, I’m recharging and more energised than ever! You’ll still catch me bringing the Nitro spirit to your screens, hyping up my fellow Gladiators, and keeping the energy sky-high. Bring on series 2 of Gladiators!”

Following his first live performance on Strictly 2025, which was a Samba, Harry was left close to tears.

The Gladiator spoke about an injury he suffered in 2024, admitting he feared he would be able to “walk or run” because of it. He told host Tess Daly: “This time last year, I wasn’t able to do anything like that. I never thought I’d be myself again. I had an injury and didn’t know if I’d be able to walk, run…

“Yeah, I just feel emotional. I’ve dreamed of this moment. Even though I did Christmas, I wasn’t 100 per cent. But I’m here and I’m 100 per cent and I’m thankful.”

Harry – aka Nitro – on The One Show

Harry has since appeared on an episode of BBC’s The One Show, where he was asked about his emotional display on Strictly. He explained: “Yeah, it hit me. I got overwhelmed with emotion because not a lot of people know the extent of the injury that I had prior, which saw me out of series 2 of Gladiators.

“But, you know, quite often we question ourselves, we go through a few lows. And, for me, I am a big ball of energy.”

When was Brendan Cole on Strictly?

Brendan Cole is a ballroom dancer from New Zealand. His speciality is Latin American dancing. He is also a Strictly Come Dancing OG, having joined the show as a pro when it launched in 2004. He ended up winning the first series with celebrity partner, newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky.

Brendan appeared on fifteen series’ of Strictly Come Dancing. He bowed out in 2018. He has also appeared as a judge on New Zealand’s version of the show, Dancing with the Stars.

When is Strictly Come Dancing on?

The next episode of Strictly Come Dancing will air this Saturday (October 4, 2025) at 6.20pm on BBC One. The 15 couples will take to the ballroom for the second time and perform their Week 2 dances.

This weekend also sees the return of Strictly Come Dancing: The Results. It starts at 7.15pm on BBC One on Sunday October 5 and will end with the first couple of the series being eliminated.

The two lowest scoring pairs will go head-to-head in the first dance-off. The judges will then send the one they think is the weakest home. But in a new twist, the responsibility of the deciding vote is now being split among the panel.

Read more: Strictly star Ellie Goldstein supported as It Takes Two host Fleur East addresses behind-the-scenes upset 

Strictly Come Dancing continues at 6.20pm on BBC One on Saturday October 4, 2025. You can also catch up on BBC iPlayer.