Strictly Come Dancing 2026 is coming! The eagerly anticipated new series is getting ready to once again light up Saturday and Sunday nights this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer and the first celebrity contestant has been confirmed as award winning actress Lacey Turner.
Lacey Turner says: “I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!”
Dani Dyer
Dani was originally part of the cast of Strictly 2025 but had to withdraw due to an injury before the competition began and will be returning to compete for the Glitterball Trophy later this year.
Dani Dyer said: “I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one! I’m just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!”
Delta Goodrem
Delta Goodrem says: “I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor! I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!”
Chris Appleton
Chris Appleton is a world-renowned conceptual hair stylist known for his impeccable attention to detail and creative vision. Named a “Hair Star” by Vogue UK, Chris is highly sought after by some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, fashion, and advertising. His work has been showcased on covers and in major features for publications including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, Grazia, L’Officiel Paris, and more. His celebrity clients include Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Sofía Vergara, Ariana Grande, and Katy Perry. He recently made the New York Times Best Sellers list for his debut memoir Your Roots Don’t Define You.
Chris Appleton says: “I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story – and I can’t wait to get started.”
Social media star and Love Island champion Cach Mercer is the fifth celebrity confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Cach rose to fame on last year’s series of Love Island, winning the public vote to be crowned the 2025 male champion.
With almost 50 million likes on TikTok alone, Cash has earned a legion of social media followers for his posts showcasing his Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance moves. Cach also works as a model and DJ, and is an ambassador for a young persons’ mental health charity.
Cach Mercer says: “I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!”
Will Best
Will is the co-host of ITV’s Big Brother and the Hits Radio Breakfast Show. With over 15 years of broadcasting experience, Will began his screen career as a presenter on T4, with other TV work including roles on This Morning, BBC Three and Viva. Will was recently seen winning Celebrity Mastermind – with the specialist subject of Danny Dyer.
Will Best says: “I can’t quite believe it…I’m doing Strictly! What an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one. I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait! I have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dance floor! I’m going to try to enjoy every minute of it.”
Dame Sarah Storey is the seventh celebrity announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Dame Sarah Storey’s nineteen Paralympic gold medals make her the most successful British Paralympian of all time. Storey started her career as a swimmer and competed at four Paralympic Games before switching to cycling, winning an incredible total of 30 Paralympic medals across nine Games, including four golds at London 2012.
One of the most powerful voices in Paralympic sport, Dame Sarah recently announced her retirement and is now ready for her next challenge – Strictly Come Dancing! Sarah will be the first Dame to compete in the show.
Dame Sarah Storey says: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting. I have always loved watching Strictly and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world, is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
Actress Jaime Winstone is the eighth celebrity announced forStrictly Come Dancing 2026
Jaime began her acting career in 2004 and has since established herself as one of Britain’s most recognisable screen talents, starring in a string of acclaimed and iconic films including Made in Dagenham, Bullet Boy, Tomb Raider, and Wild Bill, among many others. Alongside her impressive film career, she has built an extensive television resume with roles in Dead Set, Torville & Dean, Poirot, Mad Dogs, Count Abdulla, and the BBC drama Four Lives.
Jaime received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of the legendary Barbara Windsor in the BBC biopic Babs. She later stepped into Windsor’s famous role of Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders appearing in flashback specials, most recently during the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations last year. The episode went on to win the British Soap Award for ‘Best Single Episode’.
Away from the screen, Jaime has enjoyed a successful modelling career, and starred in the West End production of 2:22 A Ghost Story.
Jaime Winstone says: “I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year. I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me. I love a challenge though, so can’t wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!! Let’s get physical – see you on the dance floor!”
Actress and House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia is the ninth celebrity announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Bethany’s impressive acting career began at 14 years old when she appeared in a short film adaptation of The Tempest, before being cast as a guest role in the BBC’s Doctors.
Her breakout television role came in 2020 as Margot Rivers in the BBC/Netflix teen thriller Get Even, and she has since appeared in a range of acclaimed series such as Nolly, Stay Close, Stath Lets Flats, and Doctor Who.
Since 2022, Bethany has gained global fame from her portrayal of the dragon-rider Lady Baela Targaryen in HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon. She is currently starring as Eurydice in the smash hit, Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown in London’s West End.
Bethany Antonia says: “I can’t quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom this September! I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill. See you on the dancefloor!”
Former England football star Shaun Wright-Phillips is the tenth celebrity announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Shaun is a former footballer with 36 caps for England, across a professional career that also saw him play for Manchester City, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers, and the USA’s New York Red Bulls and Phoenix Rising FC.
Now a football pundit and broadcaster, Shaun has worked with the likes of the BBC, Sky Sports, ITV, and the Premier League. Shaun has been a Manchester City club Ambassador since 2020, and is the son of football legend Ian Wright.
Shaun Wright-Phillips says: “Dancing is in my blood—but mainly at family events! Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!”
Presenter and bestselling author Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall is the 11th celebrity announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Graeme is best known as the presenter of Channel 5’s hit show Dog’s Behaving (Very) Badly, which has run for almost a decade. He also fronted the heartwarming The Dog Hospital with Graeme Hall, is a regular contributor to ITV’s This Morning and BBC radio, has written a column for The Times newspaper, and last year even made a cameo in the hit drama All Creatures Great and Small.
Graeme is an author of three adult books, including the Sunday Times Bestseller All Dogs Great and Small. His first children’s book The Ultimate Kid’s Guide to Dog’s was published in July 2024 and was shortlisted for the The Junior Book Awards 2025.
Graeme Hall says: “I can’t believe I am joining the cast of Strictly for 2026. I have always loved dancing, so to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the business is a dream come true. I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking! I can’t wait to get started. Bring it on!”
Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb is the twelfth celebrity announced forStrictly Come Dancing 2026
Hailing from Glasgow, Lawrence is best known for his role in ITV’s Emmerdale as Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Boyd, now a popular member of the show’s iconic Dingle family. Since joining the series six years ago, Lawrence has been at the centre of many of the show’s most explosive and talked-about storylines – affairs, kidnap, murder, and this year’s landmarkCoronation Street crossover series, Corriedale.
Before arriving in the Dales, Lawrence’s TV and stage credits include I Hate Suzie opposite Billie Piper, Legally Blonde The Musical, and Mojo in the West End.
Lawrence Robb says: ” I don’t know who’s more excited about this, me or my Mother. I can’t quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time! It’s a dream come true, and I can’t wait to bring my all to ballroom. Wish me luck, and any advice is very welcome – trust me I’ll need it!”
Olympic gold medallist Tabby Stoecker is the thirteenth celebrity announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Tabby Stoecker is a highly decorated Team GB skeleton athlete, who famously won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Despite only making her international debut in the sport five years ago, Tabby’s long list of accolades also includes being a World Cup race winner, a double World Championship medallist, a European Championship medallist, and many more.
Tabby Stoecker says: “I am over the moon to be joining the cast of Strictly 2026. I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!”
YouTuber John Nellis is the fourteenth celebrity announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
John Nellis is one of the UK’s biggest sports content creators, with a combined audience of more than 20 million followers across social media. Known for his entertaining football content, his videos have amassed billions of views and featured some of the biggest names in world sport, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Originally from Newcastle in County Down, John left his job as an air traffic controller to pursue content creation full-time. Since then, he has become one of the leading creators in the sports space, winning Sport Creator of the Year at the 2024 TikTok Awards UK & Ireland.
John’s content has taken him around the world, covering major sporting events and collaborating with some of the biggest names in sport. Most recently, he teamed up with Erling Haaland, with content from the collaboration amassing more than 60 million views across social media.
John Nellis says: “I’m still in disbelief that I’ve been selected for Strictly and, if I’m honest, I’m a little nervous as I’ve never danced before! It’s such an incredible opportunity, and I’m going to throw myself into every moment. I can’t wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!”
Actress and Gavin & Stacey icon Melanie Walters completes the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line-up
Swansea-born Melanie Walters has enjoyed a celebrated career across film, radio, television and theatre, amassing an impressive range of credits over several decades. Her television work includes roles in Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Biff and Chip, and Doc Martin, while her film credits include Submarine, Resistance, High Tide and Save the Cinema. On stage, she has appeared in productions such as The Importance of Being Earnest, Blood Brothers, Twelfth Night, Educating Rita and What’s New Pussycat?
Since 2007, Melanie has been best known for her beloved portrayal of the mild mannered, omelette-obsessed Gwen West in the acclaimed BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey, a role she reprised for the smash hit 2024 Christmas special. Most recently, viewers have seen Melanie in two series of the BBC’s hit Death Valley.
Melanie Walters says: “Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room. This year I am completely thrilled and happy to swap my fairy wand for sequinned dance shoes. I just hope I don’t follow Cinderella and leave one on the Ballroom stairs. I cannot wait to take part in this absolutely iconic show, it’s so exciting. See you in September!”
Further news about Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be revealed throughout the summer ahead of the brand-new series getting underway on BBC One and iPlayer this September. Viewers can add the show to their watchlist on BBC iPlayer now.
