BREAKING NEWS: Strictly fury as nine stars have dance experience as full line-up revealed
Many of this year’s contestants have a background in performing arts and dance, meaning they will most likely have an advantage over the ones who are going in complete novices
Strictly Come Dancing has found itself at the centre of fresh controversy after it has emerged that nine celebrities in this year’s line-up have previous dance or performance experience.
The full line-up was leaked last night with YouTube star John Nellis, Gavin and Stacey’s Melanie Walters and Olympic gold medallist Tabby Stoecker reportedly completing the list of announced names.
The BBC show has faced similar criticism over the years when stars with stage school or dance backgrounds have signed up to compete for the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
And the 2026 series appears to be no different, with nine of the 15 celebrities reportedly having some form of previous experience under their belts.
It means around 60 per cent of this year’s cast have previously danced, attended stage school, studied performing arts or taken part in stage productions. However, there are no rules preventing celebrities with previous dance experience from taking part in Strictly.
An insider told the Mirror: “There is no rule that celebrities cannot have dance experience before taking part and it would be near impossible to find a cast of celebrities who have no previous dance experience as many people in the entertainment industry go to stage school.”
Among the stars with experience is Love Island winner Dani Dyer, who attended O’Farrell’s Stage School in East London at weekends for 12 years as a child.
EastEnders favourite Lacey Turner also attended the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School when she was younger.
Australian singer Delta Goodrem, meanwhile, had lessons in dancing, singing and acting as a child before going on to forge a hugely successful music career.
Actress Jaime Winstone studied for a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Harlow College in Essex, with the course covering dance, musical theatre and production.
House of the Dragon actress Bethany Antonia also has a performing arts background after attending Birmingham’s BOA Creative, Digital and Performing Arts Academy, where she studied musical theatre.
Gavin and Stacey favourite Melanie Walters, who has been linked to the line-up but has yet to be officially announced, also has experience on stage.
The actress, best known for playing Gwen in the hit BBC sitcom, starred as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Bournemouth Pavilion during last year’s festive season.
Meanwhile, presenter and best-selling author Graeme “The Dogfather” Hall has even had a previous brush with the Strictly format after taking part in a dance competition called Strictly Northampton in 2012.
The Mirror has contacted Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
So far, 12 of the reported 15 celebrities have been officially announced by the BBC, with Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb among the latest stars confirmed for the ballroom.
He joins Lacey, Dani, Delta, celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, musician Cach, presenter Will Best, Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime, Bethany, former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and Graeme.
The line-up has already sparked plenty of discussion among Strictly fans, with some viewers admitting they have struggled to recognise a number of this year’s contestants.
Meanwhile, preparations for the new series are already underway, with the professional dancers returning to rehearsals.
Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell and Jowita Przystal are among the familiar faces heading back to the dancefloor alongside reigning champion Carlos Gu, who lifted the Glitterball Trophy with former England footballer Karen Carney.
Katya Jones, Kai Widdrington, Aljaž Škorjanec, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Alexis Warr, Julian Caillon and Vito Coppola will also return.
The 2026 series will also welcome five new professional dancers following a major shake-up of the Strictly roster.
Ukrainian dancer Aleksandra Isaeva, Italy’s Cristian Priori, South African Latin champion Lethabo Monametsi, Canadian dancer Mark Karmalita and UK National Ballroom Champion Maddie Ingoldsby will all make their Strictly debuts this autumn.
