Strictly Come Dancing 2026 celebrity contestants confirmed

Meet the celebrities waltzing into the ballroom in autumn 2026, as they're announced...

Published: 23 July 2026

Strictly Come Dancing is written in gold cursive writing on a golden glitter ball, shining rays of pink, purple and navy light out against a glittering background

Strictly Come Dancing returns to iPlayer and BBC One in September 2026, with presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe presiding over the ballroom in spectacular style.

The esteemed judging panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas who will be casting a watchful eye over the performances each week, giving their expert view on the dances and delivering their all-important scores.

But who'll be hoping to impress them and claim ballroom glory when Strictly returns?

It's time to meet the official Strictly Come Dancing 2026 celebrity line-up (so far...)

Lacey Turner

A woman with long dark hair smiles to camera, set against a glittering background with rays of red, pink, purple and blue light

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

Lacey Turner is an award-winning actress, best known for her role as Stacey Slater on EastEnders.

Learn more about Lacey

Dani Dyer

A woman with long hair smiles to camera, set against a sparkling backdrop with beams of blue, pink and purple light

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

Dani Dyer is a TV personality, broadcaster and author.

Learn more about Dani

Delta Goodrem

A woman with long blonde hair is pictured side on, looking to camera, set against a background of glittering pink, purple and gold beams of light

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

Delta Goodrem is a singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and entrepreneur.

Learn more about Delta

Chris Appleton

A man in a white shirt looks to camera, side on, set against a glittering purple, pink and blue background

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

Chris Appleton is a world-renowned conceptual hair stylist known for his impeccable attention to detail and creative vision.

Learn more about Chris

Cach Mercer

A head and shoulders shot of a man in a bright hoodie, smiling to camera, set against a sparkling purple, pink and blue background

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

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.

Learn more about Cach

Will Best

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

Will Best is a TV and radio host with over 15 years of broadcasting experience.

Learn more about Will

Dame Sarah Storey

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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

Dame Sarah Storey’s nineteen Paralympic gold medals make her the most successful British Paralympian of all time.

Learn more about Dame Sarah

Jaime Winstone

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

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.

Learn more about Jaime

Further news about Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be revealed throughout the summer ahead of the brand-new series getting underway on BBC One and iPlayer this September.

For all the latest breaking news from the ballroom check out our Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Everything You Need to Know guide.

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