Strictly Come Dancing's Will Best says one co-star might be "freaked out by me" - here's why

As the countdown to Strictly Come Dancing 2026 heats up, contestant Will Best has revealed which of his competitors might be a little "freaked out" by him. It seems the Big Brother frontman is an "obsessive fan" of a certain someone's famous dad.

Speaking ahead of the launch show, slated for next Saturday (19 September), he admitted in a BBC Q&A that he'll be a bit "embarrassed" when he reunites with Dani Dyer.

"I've met Dani Dyer, but I haven't seen her since I chose her dad as my specialist subject on Mastermind, so I don't know whether she is going to be freaked out by me and I'm slightly embarrassed," he quipped.

Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 – including Disney+, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV

"I chose [Danny Dyer] because he's a national treasure. I've always thought it would be fun to be mates with him, but in hindsight, I don't know whether basically telling someone that you're an obsessive fan is the best way to spark a lasting friendship."

On who from the world of Strictly would be dynamite on Big Brother, he mused: "I think Craig would be like the perfect Big Brother housemate. I've only met him to interview him, but he's very funny and he doesn't care what other people think.

"He has a hard, cutting exterior, but actually he's a big softy on the inside, so you would get a real character arc. He’d go in as the slightly grumpy, prickly character, and then he'd come out as a big lovable mushy mess, and it would be great."

Elsewhere, EastEnders' Lacey Turner admitted she's "absolutely terrified" of making her ballroom debut.

Related: Strictly Come Dancing presenter auditions were "pandemonium", Sara Cox reveals

"I'm excited to learn something new and to be a part of this whole glittery shenanigan. But I am absolutely terrified and hoping that will go once I'm in the training room and I can get into it," she explained in her own Q&A.

"I’m going to create a character that I can play on a Saturday night, as that’s the only way I’ll get out there I think!"

She too has a pre-existing connection with Dyer, saying: "I've met Dani and Jaime [Winstone] before, which is lovely because we're sort of similar and we're the same-ish ages. So, I’m looking forward to seeing them again and becoming a big family with everyone else."

Helmed by new hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdecombe, next weekend's launch will see the 15 celebrities finally partnered up with a professional dancer, as they begin their bids for the Glitterball Trophy.

Strictly Come Dancing returns for its launch show on 19 September on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.

Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.

The new edition of Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Ariana Grande, is here! Buy Ariana Grande in newsagents or online.

Shaun is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, with over a decade of experience reporting on all things pop culture. He has written for outlets including Metro, Attitude, Huffington Post, The Mirror, Yahoo!, Pink News and Express Online, specialising in TV, movies, soaps, music and LGBTQ+ issues. He is also a BAFTA Rocliffe-winning scriptwriter, having written episodes of the soap Hollyoaks, the official Steps musical Here & Now and multiple Offie Award-nominated plays. He studied English Literature and Drama at the University of East Anglia, and will happily talk at length about Desperate Housewives to anyone who'll listen.