Strictly Come Dancing cast 2026: Which celebs and dancers are performing in this year’s line up?

STRICTLY Come Dancing 2026 is here, so it may be wise to familiarise yourself with the glittering line-up of celebrities and dancers waltzing about the ballroom. This year’s co-hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe are making their first appearances on the BBC showpiece, but who is performing during this year’s competition? The brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing is here! Credit: PA Hosting the series are Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe Credit: PA What is the Strictly 2026 celebrity lineup? Lacey Turner EastEnders star Lacey Turner was the first celebrity confirmed for this year’s show Credit: PA Award-winning actress Lacey Turner became the first celebrity contestant announced to take part in Series 24 of Strictly in June. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! Known for her 21-year portrayal of Stacey Slater on EastEnders, Lacey has established herself as one of British soap’s most celebrated leading ladies. On joining Strictly, she said: “I am so excited to be making my way to the dancefloor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing!” Dani Dyer Dani Dyer is back again after leaving last series with an ankle injury Credit: PA Daughter of famed actor Danny Dyer and wife of West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen, Dani has also made a name for herself. In 2018, she caught the attention of Brits by winning the fourth series of Love Island alongside Jack Fincham. After having to pull out of last year’s competition with a fractured ankle, Dani is back again and eager to get started. Most read in TV On joining the show, she said: “I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September!” Delta Goodrem Delta enters Strictly after impressing at the Eurovision Song Contest Credit: BBC Deemed “one of Australia’s most accomplished and enduring artists,” Delta Goodrem is ready to waltz into the competition after appearing in the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year. The Aussie boasts an impressive career to date, releasing a record-breaking debut album in 2003 and becoming a coach on The Voice Australia. She will now be looking to add success in the ballroom to her list of achievements, as the 41-year-old said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!” Chris Appleton Chris Appleton was encouraged to join by best friend Kim Kardashian Credit: PA Chris Appleton is a world-renowned hairstylist, best known to many as the close friend of American TV personality Kim Kardashian. It was Kim who talked him into signing up, and she is said to be keen to watch from the studio audience. He said: “I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dancefloor is a whole different story.” Cach Mercer Cach Mercer was the second Love Island winner, after Dani Dyer, to be on the new series Credit: PA The fifth celebrity confirmed to be joining the ballroom was social media star and Love Island winner Cach Mercer. Although he was a fan favourite on the ITV dating show, his background in dance has drawn complaints from fans about an unfair advantage. He 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 doesn’t boast a lot of dancing experience Credit: PA With over 15 years’ experience as a broadcaster, Will is best known for co-hosting ITV’s Big Brother and the Hits Radio Breakfast Show. On Boxing Day 2025, he won Celebrity Mastermind with the specialist subject of his Strictly rival’s father Danny Dyer. The 41-year-old has admitted he is nervous and has no idea whether he can dance. Trying out a few moves on camera, he joked: “It’s all in the hips, innit?” Dame Sarah Storey Dame Sarah Storey is one of Britain’s most decorated Paralympians Credit: PA Winning 19 gold medals across her career, Dame Sarah Storey is Britain’s most decorated Paralympian, but can she master the ballroom? She was due to appear on Dancing On Ice last year but withdrew after fracturing her ankle in training. A source told The Sun: “She is obviously very competitive and hopes to give the contest her all, while letting viewers get to know her personality.” Jaime Winstone Taylor Swift spurred on Jaime to join the show Credit: PA With a career spanning over two decades, Jaime is best known for her roles in films like Tomb Raider, Bullet Boy and Kidulthood. However, many Brits may know her from her appearances as a young Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders flashback episodes. Ultimately, her decision to say “yes” to showrunners this year was heavily influenced by pop icon Taylor Swift. She said: “I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year.” Bethany Antonia Bethany is ‘excited’ to get started as she was the ninth celeb announced for Strictly Credit: BBC Best known for portraying dragon-rider Lady Baela Targaryen in HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, Bethany has been acting since the age of 14. Following her first role in Doctors, her acting career has seen her appear in Doctor Who, Stay Close, Nolly, Get Even, and Stath Lets Flats. Bethany said: “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!” Shaun Wright-Phillips Wright-Phillips has scored on the football pitch, now he will be hoping to score high marks from the judges Credit: PA Most notably enjoying a 277-game career at Manchester City, Wright-Phillips is a former professional footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers and the England national team. The forward netted 50 senior club goals across his career, bagging a further six for his nation and earning a call-up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Producers believe footballers bring in a different audience and often become underdog favourites. Wright-Phillips 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 Hall Strictly welcomed Graeme with a post asking who was ready to fetch the Glitterball Credit: PA As presenter of Channel 5’s hit long-running show Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, Graeme is known to many as The Dogfather. He is also the author of three children’s books, with his first – The Ultimate Kid’s Guide to Dogs being published in July 2024 and shortlisted for The Junior Book Awards 2025. Graeme 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.” Lawrence Robb Lawrence is in disbelief over the fact he will soon take part in one of his ‘favourite shows of all time’ Credit: BBC Known for acting as Mackenzie Boyd in Emmerdale, the 34-year-old star has appeared in a whopping 724 episodes from 2020 to 2026. Many feared for his fan-favourite character during last year’s showdown with village villain John Sugden. Upon joining the show, 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!” Tabby Stoecker Tabby won skeleton gold at this year’s Winter Games Credit: PA Highly decorated Team GB skeleton athlete Tabby Stoecker was the 13th celebrity announced for the new series of Strictly. Winning mixed team skeleton gold at this year’s Winter Games, Tabby will be hoping her efforts on the ballroom are worthy of a medal as she takes on a totally new challenge. She said: “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!” John Nellis John Nellis is a ‘little nervous’ about entering the ballroom Credit: PA John Nellis doesn’t usually show nerves, meeting the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Cristiano Ronaldo as he posts videos to his 16million YouTube subscribers. However, the content creator admitted he is slightly apprehensive about the ballroom experience. The YouTuber said: “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!” Melanie Walters Melanie will be a fan favourite – best known for her role on Gavin and Stacey Credit: PA Swansea-born actress Melanie Walters is best known for playing Gwen West in Gavin and Stacey. She returned to reprise her role for the immensely popular 2024 Christmas special of the British sitcom, which raked in millions of viewers. Away from acting, she teaches Pilates and works as a qualified personal trainer. What is the Strictly 2026 dancers lineup? Along with a new set of hosts and group of 15 celebrity contestants, there are also a handful of new dancers for Series 24 of Strictly. Five new dancers have joined Strictly for the 2026 competition Credit: Ben McElligottBBC/PA Wire The longest-serving female dancer Karen Hauer was among those who waved goodbye last season, putting an end to her 14-year stay on the show. Spaniard Gorka Marquez also departed after ten years on Strictly, along with female dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas. That made way for five new professional dancers to come in: Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita. The five new dancers join Strictly’s returning professionals: Alexis Warr, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystal, Julian Caillon, Kai Widdrington, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, and Vito Coppola. Comment now