BREAKING NEWS: Strictly Come Dancing Announces Ninth Contestant for the New Series.
The BBC has confirmed the latest famous face taking to the iconic dancefloor.
While Strictly Come Dancing won’t return to television until September, anticipation is already building as nine stars have been confirmed for the 2026 series.
This announcement follows significant changes to the beloved Saturday evening programme, with Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe set to take over from previous hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
The professional dancer line-up has also undergone considerable transformation, with several popular dancers departing and fresh faces being brought in, reports the Express.
While speculation continues about which celebrities will join the roster, here’s a rundown of the confirmed participants for Strictly Come Dancing 2026.
Lacey Turner
Lacey Turner is widely recognised for her role as Stacey Slater in EastEnders, which concluded at the close of 2025.
Discussing her involvement in the programme, the actress commented: “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!”
Dani Dyer
Love Island personality Dani Dyer will be stepping onto the ballroom floor later this year. BBC viewers will remember her from last year’s line-up as part of the 2025 cast, though she was forced to pull out before the competition kicked off due to injury.
Speaking about her comeback, she revealed: “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!”
Delta Goodrem
Pop star Delta Goodrem recently flew the flag for Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest, securing one of the nation’s finest-ever finishes.
Delta said: “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.”
She added: “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!”.
Chris Appleton
Kim Kardashian’s hairstylist and friend Chris Appleton has been confirmed as the fourth celebrity to take to the dance floor this autumn.
Chris, 43, is a world-renowned conceptual hair stylist and his celebrity clients include Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Sofía Vergara, Ariana Grande, and Katy Perry. He recently made the New York Times Best Sellers list for his debut memoir Your Roots Don’t Define You.
Chris said of joining the show: “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.”
Cach Mercer
Love Island season 12 winner and social media star Cach Mercer was the fifth celebrity confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2026.
Cach, 25, rose to fame on last year’s series of Love Island, winning the public vote to be crowned the 2025 champion alongside then partner Toni Laites.
With almost 50 million likes on TikTok alone, Cash has earned a legion of social media followers for his posts showcasing his Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance moves.
When he’s not busy working on his social media career, Cach also works as a model and DJ, and is an ambassador for a young persons’ mental health charity.
Cach said of joining the show: “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
TV and radio presenter Will Best has joined the celebrity cast of 2026.The news was announced on Tuesday, July 14 via @bbcstrictly’s official social channels on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.
Will is the co-host of ITV’s Big Brother and the Hits Radio Breakfast Show. With over 15 years of broadcasting experience, Will began his screen career as a presenter on T4, with other TV work including roles on This Morning, BBC Three and Viva. Will was recently seen winning Celebrity Mastermind – with the specialist subject of Danny Dyer.
Speaking about joining Strictly, Will said: “I can’t quite believe 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.”
Dame Sarah Storey
Paralympic legend Dame Sarah Storey was the seventh star announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026.
Dame Sarah’s, 48, nineteen Paralympic gold medals make her the most successful British Paralympian of all time. Sarah first started her career as a swimmer and competed at four Paralympic Games before switching to cycling, winning an incredible total of 30 Paralympic medals across nine games, including four golds at London 2012.
The athlete recently announced her retirement and is now ready for her next challenge – Strictly Come Dancing! Sarah will be the first Dame to compete in the show.
Dame Sarah said of joining: “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!”
Jaime Winstone
Jaime Winstone 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 including Made in Dagenham, Bullet Boy, Tomb Raider, and Wild Bill, among many others.
Alongside her impressive film career, she has built an extensive television resume with roles in Dead Set, Torville & Dean, Poirot, Mad Dogs, Count Abdulla, and the BBC drama Four Lives.
Jaime received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of the legendary Barbara Windsor in the BBC biopic Babs. She later stepped into Windsor’s famous role of Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders appearing in flashback specials, most recently during the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations last year. The episode went on to win the British Soap Award for ‘Best Single Episode’.
Away from the screen, Jaime has enjoyed a successful modelling career, and starred in the West End production of 2:22 A Ghost Story.
Opening up on joining Strictly, Jaime said: “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!”
Bethany Antonia
Actress, singer, and House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia is the ninth star to be added to the Strictly class of 2026. Bethany’s impressive acting career began at 14 years old when she appeared in a short film adaptation of The Tempest, before being cast as a guest role in the BBC’s Doctors.
Her breakout television role came in 2020 as Margot Rivers in the BBC/Netflix teen thriller Get Even, and she has since appeared in a range of acclaimed series such as Nolly, Stay Close, Stath Lets Flats, and Doctor Who.
Since 2022, Bethany has gained global fame from her portrayal of the dragon-rider Lady Baela Targaryen in HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon. She is currently starring as Eurydice in the smash hit, Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown in London’s West End.
Bethany 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!”
