Listed here are the confirmed celebs (to date!) for the 2026 Strictly Come Dancing line-up forward of the revamped present’s return, with Dame Sarah Storey the seventh to be introduced.
The BBC staple returns to iPlayer and BBC One in September with presenter Emma Willis, skilled dancer Johannes Radebe and comic Josh Widdicombe as the new hosts.
The judging panel stays the identical – Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Choose Shirley Ballas – to supply their skilled opinions and scores of the dancing celebs and their professional partners.
There has additionally been a shake-up with the professional dancer line-up. Fan favourites Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Márquez have departed. In the meantime, Neil Jones and Nancy Xu might be with no companion for this sequence.
Listed here are the confirmed celebs for this yr’s Strictly:
Dame Sarah Storey
Paralympic legend Dame Sarah Storey was the seventh movie star contestant to be introduced, on 17 July.
After a profession of 19 Paralympic gold medals, making her essentially the most profitable British Paralympian ever, Storey is swapping the rostrum for the dance flooring.
She says: “Embarking on a brand new problem so quickly after stepping down as an athlete is vastly thrilling. I’ve all the time cherished watching Strictly and my daughter Louisa is a really proficient dancer, so to have the ability to be taught from the very best and hopefully perceive much more about her world, is extremely motivating! I can’t wait to get began!”
Will Finest
Massive Brother host Will Finest was introduced on 14 July, and appears set to be one of many fundamental sources of eye-candy for the mums (and homosexual followers, obv).
Finest, who additionally presents Hits Radio’s Breakfast Present, stated: “I can’t fairly imagine it… I’m doing Strictly! What an absolute dream. Albeit a fairly terrifying one.
“I’ve been fortunate to do numerous stay telly earlier than, however completely nothing like this. And I can’t wait!”
The TV star, who has amassed a legion of homosexual followers due to his usually minimal clothes on Massive Brother and Instagram, added: “I don’t know if I can really dance, however deliver on the sequins, deliver on the quicksteps, deliver on the dance flooring! I’m going to attempt to get pleasure from each minute of it.”
Cach Mercer
Love Island 2025 winner Cach Mercer was confirmed for the present on 9 July, lower than a yr after taking the crown on the courting present alongside then-girlfriend Toni Laites.
Coming from a dancing background, and having greater than 50million views on TikTok, Mercer is bound to be one to look at on the dance flooring later this yr.
He says: “I’ve grown up watching the present with my household and am so excited to now be a part of the forged. Dancing is a large ardour of mine and I can’t wait to be taught Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the primary time!”
Chris Appleton
World-renowned hair stylist Chris Appleton was the primary man introduced for this yr’s Strictly line-up.
The 43-year-old has styled a number of the largest names within the leisure world, together with Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.
“I’m thrilled to be becoming a member of Strictly Come Dancing and coming house to the UK for this unimaginable expertise,” he shared about his casting.
“I’ve all the time believed that the very best issues occur while you take an opportunity and check out one thing new. I could know my means round a salon flooring, however the dance flooring is an entire totally different story – and I can’t wait to get began.
Lacey Turner
EastEnders star Lacey Turner, who has performed Stacey Slater on the cleaning soap since 2004, was the primary contestant introduced. Her efficiency has received her quite a few accolades, together with a number of British Cleaning soap Awards and Nationwide Tv Awards.
Now, the 38-year-old actor is swapping the movie set for the dance flooring.
In a press release about her look, Turner shared: “I’m so excited to being making my technique to the dance flooring this yr to be part of Strictly Come Dancing!
“I’m an enormous fan and might’t fairly imagine I might be collaborating and never watching at house this yr! I look ahead to assembly everybody and studying a brand new ability!
Dani Dyer
Former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer was a part of the Strictly 2025 forged. Nonetheless, her time on the present was only one week lengthy earlier than she was compelled to withdraw because of an ankle fracture.
Dyer, the 29-year-old daughter of actor Danny Dyer, was initially partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, however it’s unclear whether or not they’ll be paired up this yr.
“I’m so excited to be again within the ballroom this September!” Dyer stated of her second probability on Strictly.
“I simply can’t wait to get my dancing footwear again on and hopefully this time round I can really make it to week one! I’m simply over the moon and can’t wait to search out out who else is doing it!”
Delta Goodrem
Australian singer and actor Delta Goodrem might be bringing her Australian appeal to the Strictly dance flooring.
Goodreem represented Australia at this yr’s Eurovision Song Contest, ending fourth, and beforehand starred on the beloved cleaning soap opera Neighbours.
The 41-year-old has additionally been a choose on The Voice Australia; time will inform if including dancing will make her a triple risk.
“I’ve been extremely honoured to carry out on many various levels all through my profession – from TV, theatre, movie units, to touring my very own reveals all over the world, there’s nevertheless one stage I’ve by no means stepped onto and that’s the ballroom flooring!” she shared.
“I’m completely thrilled to be becoming a member of Strictly and might’t wait to get began!”
These are all of the names confirmed to date. However, as is all the time the case, there are many rumours about who else might be becoming a member of the forged.
X Issue contestant Jake Quickenden is claimed to be becoming a member of the confirmed 2026 celeb line-up.
Additionally, Paralympian bicycle owner Dame Sarah Storey is tipped to affix this yr’s pool of Strictly stars.
Additional information about Strictly might be revealed all through the summer time.
The brand-new sequence of Strictly Come Dancing 2026 might be getting underway on BBC One and iPlayer this September.
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