Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, famously known as Nitro from BBC’s Gladiators, has opened up about the three key skills from his Gladiators experience that helped him excel on Strictly Come Dancing. The 37-year-old athlete competed in the 2025 series of Strictly alongside professional dancer Karen Hauer, becoming the sixth celebrity to leave the show.
Despite his early exit, Harry showcased impressive agility and athleticism on the dance floor. He returns to television as Nitro this evening at 5.45pm on BBC One and iPlayer, and will appear live at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena from January 23-25 as part of the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour.
Speaking exclusively to Birmingham Live, Harry credited his athletic skill set for his success on Strictly. “I’m not just bringing my gladiator persona to Strictly, but my overall athletic skills,” he explained. “Being fast, agile, and light on my feet definitely helped me transition smoothly into dancing.”
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Harry emphasized three qualities that bridged the gap between Gladiators and Strictly: speed, agility, and nimbleness. “I’m nimble, light, and powerful,” he added. “On top of that, I consider myself a smarter gladiator with quick reactions, which made me efficient on the dance floor.”
Karen Hauer, Harry’s Strictly partner, fully agreed with his assessment, praising his athleticism and overall intelligence as key to their routines.
Fans can catch the new series of Gladiators starting tonight on BBC One and iPlayer at 5.45pm. The Strictly Come Dancing Live tour will bring the excitement to Birmingham’s Utilita Arena January 23-25.