Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.bbc.co.uk
Strictly Come Dancing is back on BBC One and iPlayer 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 are casting a watchful eye over the performances each week, giving their expert view on the dances and delivering their all-important scores.
But who’s hoping to impress them and claim ballroom glory?
It’s time to meet the official Strictly Come Dancing 2026 celebrity line-up.
Lacey Turner
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.
Dani Dyer
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.
Delta Goodrem
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.
Chris Appleton
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.
Cach Mercer
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.
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.
Dame Sarah Storey
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.
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.
Bethany Antonia
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
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.
Shaun Wright-Phillips
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
Pundit and broadcaster Shaun Wright-Phillips is a former footballer with 36 caps for England.
Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall
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
Graeme Hall is a dog trainer, best known as the presenter of Channel 5’s hit show Dog’s Behaving (Very) Badly.
Lawrence Robb
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
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.
Tabby Stoecker
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
The highly decorated Team GB skeleton athlete is hoping for a medal-worthy performance when she heads to the famous ballroom this September.
John Nellis
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
John Nellis is one of the UK’s biggest sports content creators, known for his entertaining football content.
Melanie Walters
“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
Swansea-born Melanie Walters has enjoyed a celebrated career across film, radio, television and theatre, amassing an impressive range of credits over several decades.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Couples
Strictly Come Dancing’s launch show saw the celebrity cast and Professional Dancers discover their partners in front of the studio audience, for the first time via three specially-choreographed dance routines.
For all the latest breaking news from the ballroom check out our Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Everything You Need to Know guide.
