Who is taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2026?
By Pierra Willix, Press Association Senior Entertainment Reporter
Months ahead of its 2026 series, Strictly Come Dancing has started announcing some of the stars who will take part.
Here is a rundown of who we know so far will be putting their best feet forward on the dancefloor in the BBC One competition.
– Lacey Turner
EastEnders star Lacey Turner was announced as the first contestant taking part this year.
The 38-year-old, best known for her long-running role as Stacey Slater on the BBC soap, said: “I am so excited to be making my way to the dancefloor 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.”
She later said in a video message: “I am so excited and so terrified at the same time, but I’ve had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plucked up the courage and made my way onto that dancefloor.”
The Edgware-born actress is also known for appearing on the BBC One drama True Love and Call The Midwife, and she starred as Molly Dawes in the military drama Our Girl.
– Dani Dyer
Former Love Island star Dani Dyer has been given a second chance after she had to withdraw from last year’s competition because of an injury before the series began.
The 29-year-old is best known for appearing on and winning the ITV reality dating show Love Island in 2018, for winning this year’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and co-starring alongside her father, Rivals actor Danny Dyer, on their series The Dyers’ Caravan Park. She has also featured on Celebrity MasterChef, Celebrity Gogglebox and EastEnders.
She said: “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
After representing her home country of Australia at Eurovision, Delta Goodrem is now taking part in Strictly.
The singer and actress, 41, 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.
“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.”
She rose to fame in Neighbours as shy teenager Nina Tucker from 2002 to 2003.
Goodrem has also featured as a coach on The Voice Australia and has achieved massive chart success in the country, landing five Australian number one albums.
– Chris Appleton
Chris Appleton is a hair stylist best known for working with stars including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez.
He said of signing up to Strictly: “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 dancefloor is a whole different story – and I can’t wait to get started.”
Appleton’s other celebrity clients include Sofia Vergara, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.
– Cach Mercer
After winning Love Island last year, reality star Cach Mercer is hitting the dancefloor on Strictly.
When he was announced as part of the line-up he, 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!”
Mercer won Love Island alongside Toni Laites, with the couple splitting the £50,000 prize pot. They have since broken up.
– Will Best
Big Brother co-host Will Best said joining Strictly was “an absolute dream”.
The TV and radio presenter, 41, is best known for fronting the ITV reality series alongside AJ Odudu as well as hosting the Hits Radio Breakfast Show.
“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!” he said.
He added: “I have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dancefloor! I’m going to try to enjoy every minute of it.”
– Dame Sarah Storey
Dame Sarah Storey, who recently announced her retirement from sport, has also signed up for Strictly.
The cyclist and swimmer, 48, has 19 Paralympic gold medals to her name, making her the most successful British Paralympian of all time.
She said: “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.”
The athlete was born without a functioning left hand after her arm became entangled in the umbilical cord in the womb, meaning her hand did not develop as normal.