‘This Is Unacceptable!’ : BBC Under Fire After Strictly Come Dancing Unveils Controversial Sixth Celebrity
Strictly Come Dancing have added another star to their line-up after previously announcing Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton and Cach Mercer
The sixth star to join Strictly Come Dancing’s 2026 line-up has been announced as Will Best, with the Big Brother host joining Dani Dyer, Lacey Turner and many more on the dancefloor.
The news was confirmed earlier today, with the 41-year-old stating: “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.”
He’s clearly thrilled about the prospect of taking part, as he commented underneath the official Strictly Come Dancing announcement on Instagram, penning: “SO EXCITED!! (very long eeeek).”
Fleur East, who competed on the BBC show in 2022, cheered: “Yeh baby!!!! Let’s gooooo!!!!!” Fans were also thrilled about the news, as a follower commented: “Well… looks like I’m watching Strictly again. 100% behind Will! @iamwillbest.”
An Instagram user agreed: Oh yeah!!! The news we all wanted! Congratulations mate.”
Will has been in the spotlight for more than 15 years, kicking his presenting career off at T4, before appearing on This Morning, BBC Three and Viva.
He already has a unique connection to a fellow contestant as he won Celebrity Mastermind with the specialist subject of Danny Dyer – dad of his new co-star, Love Island’s Dani.
The BBC have been announcing their celebrity line-up for the show since the middle of June, which is much earlier than their usual release schedule, as that often comes in mid-August.
The other celebrities that have been announced so far include two Love Island winners, Dani Dyer and Cach Mercer, as well as EastEnders star Lacey Turner, Australian superstar Delta Goodrem and celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton.
Lacey Turner was the first to be announced. The actress, who plays Stacey Slater on EastEnders, said: “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!”
Her announcement was followed by Dani Dyer joining the show. Dani was supposed to take part last year, but had to withdraw due to a knee injury. Her spot was covered by fellow Love Island winner Amber Davies, who reached the final alongside Nikita Kuzmin.
“I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September!” Dani said upon being announced as part of the 2026 line-up. “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!”
Singer songwriter Delta Goodrem was the third to be announced. She shared: “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!”
Meanwhile, Chris, who has worked with stars such as Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry, said: “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.”
Finally, Cach Mercer, who joined the Strictly line up just a year after winning Love Island alongside Toni Laites, said: “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!”
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There will be plenty of firsts when Strictly returns in the autumn. Alongside their new celebs, there will also be three new hosts. Emma Willis, Josh Widdecombe and former pro dancer Johannes Radebe will be taking up the reins, following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
