Who’s in Strictly Come Dancing 2026 cast? Full line-up of celebrities and pro partners

The Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line-up is complete! (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy) Strictly Come Dancing fever is well underway as the 2026 series kicks off, with the full cast of celebrities and their celebrity partners revealed. This year’s batch of competitors will no doubt be hoping to replicate the success of Lioness Karen Carney and professional partner Carlos Gu, who emerged as last year’s winners. The newcomers will be joining Strictly at an important time, with several big changes taking place on the BBC’s flagship dancing show. This, of course, includes the departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who’ve been replaced by three new hosts (count ’em!) in broadcaster Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and pro dancer Johannes Radebe. The pro dancer line-up has also undergone some sweeping changes, with fan favourites Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Gorka Márquez departing, while Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will be ‘benched’ without partners. Get personalised updates on Strictly Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. As bosses look to usher Strictly into a new era, let’s take a look at this year’s competitors. When does Strictly 2026 start? Full release schedule We have three new hosts on the BBC ballroom floor (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston) Strictly Come Dancing kicked off on Saturday, September 19, when the celebrity pairings with professional dancers will be revealed. That first grand reveal episode has been be pre-recorded. The show’s staple live episodes start the following week on September 26. That will be the line-up’s inaugural chance to perform as pairs and score (hopefully) tens from the judges. There is traditionally no elimination during that initial live show, so the first couple will head for the door on October 4, following a public vote. The 2026 final will also be far closer to Christmas this year, airing on December 19 on the BBC. Who’s in the Strictly 2026 cast? Full line-up Melanie Walters Melanie Walters was overjoyed to be partnered with Strictly legend Aljaz Skorjanec (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters was the final star to be confirmed in the 2026 line-up. She’s partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec for the competition. Best known as portraying the ‘mild-mannered, omelette-obsessed Gwen West’ in the hit BBC comedy, she’s also been a staple on British TV for decades. Over the years she’s appeared in Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Biff and Chip, and Doc Martin – to name a few. Not only that, but she’s also a prolific stage star. The actress said: ‘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!’ John Nellis John Nellis, who’s competing with Katya Jones, boasts more than 60 million views for his videos across social media (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) YouTuber John Nellis was the fourteenth celebrity to be announced for Strictly 2026, and will dance with Katya Jones. Nellis is one of the UK’s biggest and most influential sports creators with 15 million people subscribed to his YouTube channel. He’s also collaborated with some of the biggest names in sport, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Cristiano Ronaldo. ‘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,’ he said in a statement. ‘I can’t wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!’ I wonder if Haaland will make the trip over to watch his mate waltz about the ballroom? Tabby Stoecker Tabby Stoecker admitted she’d dreamt of going on Strictly for a long time (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Olympic gold medallist Tabby Stoecker will be swapping skeleton for Strictly in September after being announced as the show’s 13th contestant. She’s partnered up with Canadian dancer Mark Karmalita in his first year as a Strictly pro. Stoecker recently achieved huge success, coming first in her sport at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games held in Italy, despite only making her international debut half a decade ago. The athlete said about joining the BBC competition: ‘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 is also a World Cup race winner, European Champion medallist and a double World Champion medallist. The winter sport sees competitors race headfirst on sled down an icy track as fast as possible. Lawrence Robb Lawrence Robb is swapping Emmerdale for dancing with Jowita Przystal on Strictly (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Best known for playing Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Boyd – a member of the legendary Dingle clan – on Emmerdale, Lawrence Robb is the latest star to join the Strictly cast of 2026.‘I don’t know who’s more excited about this, me or my mother,’ Robb told the BBC, before finding out he’d be partnered with Jowita Przystal. ‘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!’ Let’s hope that Robb has more luck in the ballroom than Mack’s had in recent years. By last count, Mack’s been in three car crashes and held hostage twice in just six years, and that’s without mentioning the time he was shot with a crossbow. It brings new meaning to the Strictly curse! Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall Graeme Hall appeared to make Lauren Oakley emotional when he shared how happy he was to be dancing with her (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Graeme Hall, who’s competing with Lauren Oakley on Strictly this year, will be a familiar face to dog lovers. The 60-year-old is best known as the presenter of Channel 5’s Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, which he has helmed for almost a decade. He also fronted The Dog Hospital with Graeme Hall, regularly appears on This Morning and BBC radio, and last year made a cameo in All Creatures Great and Small. When he was announced for Strictly, 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!’ Shaun Wright-Phillips Shaun Wright-Phillips wasted no time in showing his competitive spirit at the launch show (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Pundit and former Three Lions footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips has become the latest name to join the celebrity cast of 2026. The son of Ian Wright, his career spanned 36 England caps and stints at Manchester City, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers, and the New York Red Bulls and Phoenix Rising FC. Since leaving the pitch, he’s been a pundit across the BBC, Sky Sports, ITV, and the Premier League. But Wright-Phillips is about to put his feet to a different use this autumn, when he dances with Alexis Warr. He said in his announcement: ‘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!’ Bethany Antonia Nancy Xu and House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia are rays of sunshine together (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Since first hitting the screens when she was just 14 years old in The Tempest, the 28-year-old star’s career has only gone from strength to strength. After appearing in shows like Doctors, Nolly, Get Even, Doctor Who and Stath Lets Flats, nowadays she’s best known for her starring turn in HBO series House of the Dragon. In the popular fantasy series, she plays dragon-rider Lady Baela Targaryen, while theatre fans may recognise her as Eurydice in West End hit Hadestown. Now she’s bringing her all to the ballroom, dancing in a same-sex couple with Nancy Xu, the first in three years. In a statement, she said: ‘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!’ Jaime Winstone Carlos Gu and Jaime Winstone seem like a ball of fun already (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Next up we have blockbuster star Jaime Winstone, who is known for her stacked filmography including Kidulthood, Bullet Boy, Tomb Raider, and Wild Bill. Her on-screen talent is clearly genetic, as the daughter of Hollywood star Ray Winstone, whose decorated five-decade career has included major hits like The Departed and Beowulf. As for Jaime, in the soap world some may recognise her as the star who played EastEnders’ Barbara Windsor in her 2017 biopic Babs and a young Peggy Mitchell in the series. ‘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,’ she said, before being partnered with Carlos Gu. ‘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!’ Dame Sarah Storey Dame Sarah Storey is heading to the ballroom following her retirement (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian of all time, Dame Sarah Storey, will surely be hoping to add to her medal collection with the Strictly trophy, which she’ll compete for with Julian Caillon. The 48-year-old athlete is a cyclist and swimmer who holds multiple gold medals in the Paralympic Games. She’s also a six-time British national track champion. Dame Sarah was born without a functioning left hand and began her Paralympic career aged 14 as a swimmer. For much of 2005, she was unable to swim due to ear infections, which is when she picked up cycling and made the permanent switch before Beijing 2008. At the start of this month, she announced her retirement from competitive sport, so perhaps stepping into the Strictly ballroom is the next thing on her bucket list. As the first dame to compete in the show, she 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!’ Will Best Will Best is going to juggle presenting Big Brother and dancing on Strictly (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Big Brother presenter Will Best is the latest big-ticket name to join the celebrity cast of 2026, dancing with Strictly fan-favourite Dianne Buswell. The 41-year-old co-hosts ITV’s reality show with AJ Odudu and can also be heard over the airwaves on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show. Most recently, he was seen winning Celebrity Mastermind with the specialist subject of Danny Dyer, so he’ll certainly have plenty to talk about with one of his Strictly competitors (scroll on to find out which). Best said of his inclusion in the line-up: ‘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.’ Cach Mercer Cach Mercer already has the Strictly smoulder going on as he poses with his partner Maddie Ingoldsby (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Rolling in at number five is influencer Cach Mercer, who is already in good standing after winning reality show Love Island with his partner Toni Laites in 2025. Off the back of his Casa Amor victory, he’s trading sunny days in Mallorca for the high-energy Strictly dance floor with new pro dancer Maddie Ingoldsby. He may well feel right at home, given his social media fame comes from posts showing off his Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance moves. ‘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!’ he said in a statement. Time will tell if his moves, which have won over 1.3 million TikTok followers and counting, will be enough for the general public. Chris Appleton Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton has promised partner Amy Dowden’s hair will get bigger each week (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Born in Leicester, the 43-year-old creative has made it all the way to Hollywood as a hairstylist to the stars, including bestie Kim Kardashian and other A-listers like J-Lo, Sofia Vergara, and Ariana Grande. In 2023, Kim K even officiated his wedding to screenstar Lukas Gage (the couple later divorced), and his career continues to ascend even higher. Now, he’s cha-chaing his way onto the dance floor with Amy Dowden to show just what he’s soaked up from all the performers he’s hung out with over the years. He said in a statement: ‘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.’ Delta Goodrem Just a few months ago, Delta Goodrem was representing Australia at Eurovision (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) The Australian singer-songwriter, Delta Goodrem, has officially joined Strictly, and will be dancing with the suave Kai Widdrington. She was just 15 years old when she signed her first record deal and her careers gone from strength to strength ever since. The 41-year-old has released seven albums, sold millions of copies, and even represented Australia at Eurovision 2026 – basically, she knows the stage like the back of her hand. Still, there’s a difference between singing and dancing, but that’s a challenge Delta is keen to take on. ‘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,’ she said in a statement. ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!’ With an attitude like that, is it any wonder Delta has reportedly been on the Strictly boss’s wishlist for years? Dani Dyer Nikita Kuzmin and Dani Dyer are back together again (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) Poor Dani Dyer had one of the briefest Strictly stints ever last year, as she was forced to withdraw shortly after the launch show due to an ankle fracture. But now – she’s back! Dani was originally partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, who went on to reach the final with Amber Davies when she filled in at the last minute. And now, they’re going to have a second go at lifting the Glitterball Trophy together. The reality TV star previously said on The Jonathan Ross Show that she would ‘love’ to do Strictly again, saying: ”If they rang me, I’d answer the phone. I was devastated. It was hell for me when I hurt my foot; I was so sad.’ Her dream has now become a reality, as she’s confirmed for the 2026 line-up. Don’t miss a TV review! Add us as a Preferred Source As a loyal Metro TV reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. Our TV experts are here to bring you all the latest reviews, streaming updates, videos, and exclusive interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers. Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search. Add us as a Preferred Source ‘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!’ the 29-year-old said in a statement. ‘I’m just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!’ Lacey Turner Lacey Turner was the first celebrity to be confirmed for Strictly 2026 (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire) She’s been playing EastEnders’ favourite Stacey Slater for over 20 years, but now Lacey Turner is set to appear on the BBC in a very different way. As the 38-year-old soap actress takes a break from Albert Square to pursue new ventures, it seems her journey is taking her from the cobblestones straight onto the dance floor, where she’ll compete with Vito Coppola. In her announcement, Lacey wrote: ‘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!’ It wouldn’t be the first time an EastEnders icon has appeared on Strictly – who could forget Jake Wood (aka Max Branning) with his Mambo No. 5 salsa? Strictly Come Dancing launch show is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The series continues on BBC One every Saturday night, witharesults show on Sunday An earlier version of this article was first published on August 19, 2026. 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