Harry Aikines

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was born on August 29, 1988, in Carshalton, London. He developed an early aptitude for sprinting, which led him to significant achievements in athletics. In 2005, he gained recognition by becoming the first athlete to secure gold medals in both the 100 metres and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships. This accomplishment earned him the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award. His athletic career continued to progress, with him representing Great Britain in multiple international competitions.

Throughout his career, Aikines-Aryeetey consistently performed at a high level. He contributed to Great Britain’s 4x100m relay team, winning a bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships. He earned his first senior individual medal, a bronze in the 100m, at the 2014 European Championships, where he also secured gold in the 4x100m relay. Further relay successes included a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and additional gold medals at the 2018 European Championships and Commonwealth Games as part of the 4x100m relay team. He represented Great Britain at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the 4x100m relay.

Following his distinguished sprinting career, Aikines-Aryeetey transitioned into television. In 2024, he became widely known as ‘Nitro’ in the reboot of the game show ‘Gladiators’, where his explosive energy and athleticism made him a fan favorite. His television appearances expanded to a contestant role in the 2024 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special and he was later announced as a contestant for the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing, paired with professional Karen Hauer. These roles highlight his ability to adapt his competitive drive and physical capabilities to new platforms, reaching a broader audience beyond athletics.