Strictly Come Dancing 2026: Full official Line-Up Revealed for Brand-New Series
The complete celebrity cast for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 has been officially confirmed as 15 stars prepare to step into the world-famous ballroom this September on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026: Quick Overview
Launch Date: September 2026 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
New Hosting Trio: Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe take over hosting duties.
Judging Panel: Shirley Ballas (Head Judge), Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke return.
Celebrity Contestants (15): Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall, Lawrence Robb, Tabby Stoecker, John Nellis, and Melanie Walters.
A New Era for the Ballroom
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn with a fresh dynamic at the helm. Presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe, and comedian Josh Widdicombe will preside over the ballroom in spectacular style.
Evaluating every paso doble, quickstep, and salsa is the esteemed judging panel: Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and Head Judge Shirley Ballas.
Here is the official 2026 celebrity line-up hoping to impress the judges and lift the iconic Glitterball Trophy:
Official Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Celebrity Line-Up
1. Lacey Turner
Lacey Turner is an award-winning actress, best known for her role as Stacey Slater on EastEnders.
“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!” — Lacey Turner
2. Dani Dyer
Dani Dyer is a TV personality, broadcaster and author.
“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!” — Dani Dyer
3. Delta Goodrem
Delta Goodrem is a singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and entrepreneur.
“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!” — Delta Goodrem
4. Chris Appleton
Chris Appleton is a world-renowned conceptual hair stylist known for his impeccable attention to detail and creative vision.
“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.” — Chris Appleton
5. Cach Mercer
Social media star and reigning Love Island-champion Cach works as a model and DJ, and is an ambassador for a young persons’ mental health charity.
“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!” — Cach Mercer
6. Will Best
Will Best is a TV and radio host with over 15 years of broadcasting experience.
“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.” — Will Best
7. Dame Sarah Storey
Dame Sarah Storey’s nineteen Paralympic gold medals make her the most successful British Paralympian of all time.
“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!” — Dame Sarah Storey
8. Jaime Winstone
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.
“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!” — Jaime Winstone
9. Bethany Antonia
Bethany is an actress and singer, who has gained global fame from her portrayal of the dragon-rider Lady Baela Targaryen in Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon.
“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!” — Bethany Antonia
10. Shaun Wright-Phillips
Pundit and broadcaster Shaun Wright-Phillips is a former footballer with 36 caps for England.
“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!” — Shaun Wright-Phillips
11. Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall
Graeme Hall is a dog trainer, best known as the presenter of Channel 5’s hit show Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly.
“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!” — Graeme Hall
12. Lawrence Robb
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.
“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!” — Lawrence Robb
13. Tabby Stoecker
The highly decorated Team GB skeleton athlete is hoping for a medal-worthy performance when she heads to the famous ballroom this September.
“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!” — Tabby Stoecker
14. John Nellis
John Nellis is one of the UK’s biggest sports content creators, known for his entertaining football content.
“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!” — John Nellis
15. Melanie Walters
Swansea-born Melanie Walters has enjoyed a celebrated career across film, radio, television and theatre, amassing an impressive range of credits over several decades.
“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!” — Melanie Walters
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September.
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