Strictly Come Dancing is back for a brand new series(Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing is back for a brand new series, and some famous faces have already signed up.
The BBC show is returning this year with a brand new look after hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down. Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis and Josh Widdecombe have taken over hosting duties in a new look for the show.
Also, five professional dancers will step in to replace the five who have departed. Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas have all departed the show in recent months.
Some fans have had mixed feelings about the celeb line-up so far, which has been slowly announced since June this year. Here’s a look at the line-up so far – and who might be rumoured for the show.
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Lacey Turner
Lacey Turner is heading for the dancefloor(Image: BBC)
EastEnders actress Lacey – who plays Stacey Slater in the BBC soap – was the first celebrity to sign up for the show this year.
Speaking about joining the show, she said: “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 Dyer is back!(Image: BBC)
Love Island star Dani Dyer was forced to exit the competition last year due to injury but is back this year again with a bang. She was supposed to appear in the last series but an ankle injury before it kicked off meant she had to pull out.
“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!” she said.
Delta Goodrem
Delta Goodrem is joining the show(Image: BBC)
Eurovision singer Delta Goodrem has signed up for the new series and is “absolutely thrilled” to be on the show.
“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!” she said.
Chris Appleton
Kim Kardashian’s hairstylist and friend Chris Appleton has been confirmed as the fourth celebrity(Image: BBC)
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton was announced as a contestant on the new series of the BBC show. The stylist to the stars counts the likes of Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry as his clients and friends.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Cach Mercer
Cach Mercer is the latest star to sign up(Image: BBC)
Former Love Island star Cach Mercer has also signed up. The reigning champion of the ITV dating show has 50 million likes on TikTok alone and has gained a huge following thanks to his hip-hop and street dance videos, as well as his modelling and DJ career.
Speaking about joining the show, the reality star 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!”
Will Best
Will Best is the sixth celebrity announced for Strictly Come Dancing(Image: BBC)
Big Brother presenter Will Best is the latest celeb to be confirmed for the BBC show.
Revealing the news, the 41-year-old said: “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!”
He added: “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
Dame Sarah Storey has signed up for Strictly (Image: BBC/PA Wire)
It was announced on Friday that Paralympian Sarah Storey, 48, had signed up to appear on the BBC Saturday night favourite.
Excitedly revealing the news, the cyclist and swimmer, who retired from sport just days ago, said: “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!”
Jaime Winstone
Jaime is joining the show(Image: BBC)
Actress Jaime became the eighth star to be named for the BBC dancing competition later this year.
Speaking about joining the show, she said: “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!”
Bethany Antonia
House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia was the ninth celebrity announced for the show
Bethany was announced as the ninth celebrity to have joined the star-studded line-up on Tuesday afternoon.
The actress, 28, is best known for starring as Baela Targaryen on Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, but is currently playing the role of Eurydice in the West End musical Hadestown.
Speaking about joining Strictly, she said: “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!”
Shaun Wright-Phillips
Shaun Wright-Phillips has joined Strictly Come Dancing
BBC bosses confirmed on Thursday afternoon that football ace Shaun Wright-Phillips has also signed up this year.
The sports star played for Manchester City, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers and England but is now swapping the pitch for the ballroom as he takes on the challenge of Strictly.
He said: “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!”
Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall
(Image: PA)
This Morning’s dog expert Graeme Hall has been announced as the 11th contestant to take part in Strictly.
The ITV star is best known for providing advice about caring for dogs on the morning show. In a statement, he said: “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!”
Lawrence Robb
Lawrence Robb Strictly star breaker
Emmerdale star Lawrence Robb is swapping the dales for dancing. When he was announced as part of the line-up, Lawrence said: “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!”
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 landmark Coronation Street crossover series, Corriedale.
Other rumoured stars
There have been a lot of names thrown into the mix for this year’s Strictly. Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters is the latest celebrity to have reportedly signed up.
Known for her role as Gwen West in Gavin & Stacey, Melanie has also starred in Hollyoaks and had guest roles in a string of shows including Doc Martin, Casualty and Beyond Paradise.
TV and radio presenter Roman Kemp is also in the mix. During an appearance on The One Show, Emma Barton – who plays Honey on the BBC soap – was chatting with Alex Jones and Roman Kemp about the upcoming series after her own successful stint on it.
As Alex announced Lacey joining the show, she asked her co-star Emma: “Have you spoken to her? How is she feeling?” Emma then replied: “She’s such a gorgeous wonderful woman and the audience are going to love her.
“And I’m so proud of her because it’s nerve-racking, isn’t it. And it’s scary.” Emma then went on to say: “Roman you know as well” but he quickly stuttered as he said: “I have never done it. I’ve never done it.”
