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STRICTLY GETS ANOTHER SURPRISE… WILL BEST IS THE LATEST STAR JOINING THE 2026 LINE-UP. The Strictly Come Dancing 2026 cast is starting to take shape, with Will Best becoming the newest celebrity confirmed for the famous ballroom. The announcement has sparked fresh excitement as fans wait to discover who else will join the glittering line-up and compete for the coveted Glitterball Trophy. But who are the other stars stepping onto the dance floor this year? The full line-up is getting more exciting by the day.

Will Best is heading for the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom after being confirmed as the sixth celebrity joining this year’s line up.

The TV presenter, 41, shared the news himself and admitted he is feeling just as nervous as he is excited ahead of the new series.

The Big Brother host even confessed he has no idea whether he can actually dance, something he’ll soon find out when Strictly returns in September.

The Strictly Come Dancing line-up for 2026 is now taking shape (Credit: BBC)

Will now joins the growing list of celebrities already confirmed for the 2026 series.

Will Best joins Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line-up

Will revealed his Strictly signing on Instagram as the BBC unveiled his official cast photo.

As well as co-hosting Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother alongside AJ Odudu, he also presents the Hits Radio Breakfast Show.

Speaking in a video shared on Strictly’s Instagram account, Will said: “Oh hey, guys, I’m Will Best. This is surreal. I’m unbelievably excited and more than a little terrified to be able to say I’m doing Strictly this year!

“I can’t believe it. I’m so nervous already but it’s going to be so fun. I love the show and can’t wait to find out if I can dance.

“I’ve got no idea, but we can all find out together. It’s all in the hips, isn’t it?”

Will then attempted an impromptu dance in his kitchen before quickly deciding he might need a bit more practice first.

Cach Mercer in Strictly Come Dancing 2026 photo
Love Island winner Cach Mercer is doing Strictly this year (Credit: BBC)

Cach Mercer joins Strictly 2026 line-up

Cach Mercer, 25, was the fifth confirmed Strictly contestant. Cach rose to fame on last year’s series of Love Island after winning the show with Toni Lates.

With almost million likes on TikTok, Cach has a huge legion of social media followers. On social media, he posts his Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance moves. He also works as a model and DJ.

He has gushed over Strictly, revealing he watched the BBC show growing up.

Cach has said: “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!”

One fan gushed: “Winner already.”

Another wrote: “Winner right there.”

However, someone else wrote: “Another one I don’t know.”

Another added: “Can we get some proper celebrities? Never heard of him.”

Chris Appleton on Strictly
Hairstylist Chris Appleton will take to the dance floor this autumn on Strictly (Credit: BBC)

Chris Appleton joins Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line-up

Meanwhile, hair icon Chris Appleton will be doing Strictly this year.

Chris has done hairstyling for big Hollywood names including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez.

In a statement, he gushed: “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.”

Fans can’t wait to see Chris hit the dancefloor, with one person gushing on Instagram: “This is going to be epic!!!”

Another wrote: “This line-up keeps getting stronger and stronger.”

A third added: “OH THIS IS ICONIC.”

Delta Goodrem was recently announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 (Credit: BBC)

Delta Goodrem confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2026

Delta, 41, first found fame playing Nina Tucker in Neighbours. Her character was a shy teenager who dreamed of becoming a singer.

She later enjoyed major success in music, topping the charts several times before becoming a coach on The Voice Australia.

More recently, Australian viewers watched Delta represent her country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. She achieved the highest score Australia has received since joining the competition.

Now, she is preparing for a very different challenge as she heads to the Strictly ballroom.

She said: “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!”

Dani Dyer in Strictly promo photo
Dani Dyer will take to the Strictly dancefloor this autumn (Credit: BBC)

Dani Dyer joins Strictly 2026 line-up

Dani Dyer became the second celebrity confirmed for the new series.

The former Love Island star, 29, originally joined the Strictly 2025 line up. However, an injury forced her to withdraw before the competition got underway.

She 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!”

Fans quickly celebrated the announcement on social media.

One wrote on Instagram: “Buzzing she’s back for another try!!!”

Another commented: “Happy she gets another chance!!”

A third added: “Good! Really happy to see Dani get another go.”

Lacey Turner in Strictly Come Dancing 2026 photo
Lacey Turner was the first name revealed for Strictly (Credit: BBC)

Lacey Turner heading into Strictly

Lacey Turner became the first celebrity announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026.

The EastEnders favourite shared her excitement after the news was revealed.

She said: “I am so excited to be 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!”

Fans also reacted enthusiastically to Lacey’s casting. Many pointed out how early the celebrity announcements have arrived this year.

One fan wrote: “Oh my god amazing!!!”

Another said: “Wait celeb reveals announced early!?!? But also woooo Lacey gonna be amazing.”

A third added: “Omg it’s so early how exciting!!”

What can we expect from Strictly 2026?

Strictly Come Dancing is heading into a new era this year with several major changes.

Last year marked the final series for long serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

This autumn, Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe will take over hosting duties. Earlier this month, the BBC officially announced them as the show’s new presenting team.

Emma said: “It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Strictly. I’ve cheered and danced along from my sofa for years. So to be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can’t quite comprehend.

I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year.

“It’s impossible to fill the shoes that Tess and Claudia have left behind. Two wonderful, iconic women who have been the beating heart of Strictly for so long. I can only hope that we are able to help to steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter.

“I can’t wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!”

Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe
The new Strictly hosts (Credit: BBC)

‘I feel deeply honoured’

Meanwhile, JoJo said: “To be returning to Strictly Come Dancing in this new role is beyond anything I ever imagined. This show has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness, and I feel deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward. To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special. I’m ready, sequins, nerves, and all…please bear with me. Love Jojo.”

Josh added: “Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point, so I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television.

“I adore Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them. I’ll dust off the penguin costume.”

With three celebrity names already confirmed and a brand new presenting team in place, excitement for Strictly 2026 is building fast ahead of its September return.

What do you think of this story? 

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