Who is Melanie Walters? Meet Strictly Come Dancing 2026 contestant and actress

Melanie Walters is a familiar face to millions thanks to Gavin & Stacey, but now she's about to show audiences a very different side to her.

Best known for playing Gwen West in Gavin & Stacey, Walters has enjoyed a long career across television, film and theatre, with the Strictly ballroom her next big stage!

The Welsh actress was the final celebrity to join this year's line-up, rounding off starry summer announcements.

So who is Melanie Walters, and what can we expect when the Gavin & Stacey favourite takes to the Strictly dance floor?

Here's everything you need to know before her dance floor debut...

Age: 64

Job: Actress

Instagram: @melaniewalters2025

Melanie Walters is an actress best known for her recurring role on BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey.

The actress has an impressive range of credits over several decades, with her television work including roles in Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Biff and Chip, and Doc Martin, while her film credits include Submarine, Resistance, High Tide and Save the Cinema.

On stage, she has appeared in productions such as The Importance of Being Earnest, Blood Brothers, Twelfth Night, Educating Rita and What’s New Pussycat?.

What has Melanie Walters said about Strictly Come Dancing?

Melanie was the final contestant to complete this year's Strictly line-up, and shared her excitement about heading into the studio to perform.

"Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room," she said in a statement.

"This year I am completely thrilled and happy to swap my fairy wand for sequinned dance shoes. I just hope I don’t follow Cinderella and leave one on the ballroom stairs.

"I cannot wait to take part in this absolutely iconic show, it’s so exciting!"

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

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Authors

Tilly Pearce is a freelance TV journalist whose coverage ranges from reality shows like Love Is Blind to sci-fi shows like Fallout. She is an NCTJ Gold Standard accredited journalist, who has previously worked as Deputy TV Editor (maternity cover) at Digital Spy, and Deputy TV & Showbiz Editor at Daily Express US.