Who is Dani Dyer? Meet Strictly Come Dancing 2026 contestant and TV personality

Dani Dyer is returning to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom for a second time after she was forced to withdraw last year.

Ahead of the first live show of the 2025 season, Dani announced she had fractured her ankle during rehearsals and was no longer able to compete in the series.

She was replaced by Amber Davies, who made it to the final with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin. Dani has now made a full recovery and is ready to take on all the dancing competition has to throw at her.

"I seriously couldn't be more excited to join," Dani said of returning to Strictly. "I cried when I got the call, I didn't want to assume after everything that happened last year that I would get another chance. I can’t wait to finally get the opportunity to properly experience the Strictly journey."

But just who exactly is Dani Dyer? Keep reading to find out more about the TV personality as her Strictly journey begins - again.

Age: 29

Job: TV personality

Instagram: @danidyerxx

Dani Dyer is a TV personality and actress who first rose to fame on Love Island in 2018.

She joined the reality series as an OG Islander and coupled up with Jack Fincham. The couple quickly became fan favourites and later went on to win the season. They didn't last as a couple however, with the pair calling it quits nine months after their win.

Since then, Dyer has appeared on The One Show as a guest reporter, co-presented MTV's True Love or True Lies? made a guest appearance on EastEnders and was a contestant on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins earlier this year. She also co-hosts the podcast Live and Let Dyers alongside her father, in which they invite listeners into their world, offering a glimpse of life in the Dyer family.

She is married to England and West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen, and the couple welcomed twins in 2023. Dani also has a son from a previous relationship.

What has Dani Dyer said about Strictly Come Dancing?

It had long been rumoured Dani would be making a return to the Strictly ballroom, with the TV personality previously saying she'd "love to do it again".

Dani said returning to the show "means to world" to her.

"Getting another chance feels really special. I'm just so grateful to be back and to get out on the dance floor, enjoy every moment and give it absolutely everything I've got," she said.

"I'm ready for the glitter, the fake tan, the sore feet and hopefully a few good dance moves along the way!"

Strictly Come Dancing begins on Saturday 19 September at 7:25pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.