Strictly Come Dancing 2026 star confirmed to join BBC's Gladiators for brand-new series

Strictly star Tabby Stoecker is set to enter the Gladiators line-up for season four. The Team GB skeleton Olympic athlete will take on a brand new set of contenders in the BBC show when it returns early next year.

Tabby’s Gladiator name, first look, further details about the new series, and a release date will be revealed in due course.

The Olympic gold medalist said she was "over the moon" to be joining the show, which was resurrected for a second time in 2024 following its initial run from 1992 to 2000.

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"It’s incredible to be part of such an iconic show, and I can’t wait for audiences to see what I bring to the arena," she continued.

"Being an Olympic Champion and coming from a circus arts background has prepared me for this exciting new challenge, and I can’t wait to bring my positivity, athleticism, and competitive spirit to the show. Bring on the Contenders!"

It won't be Tabby's first stint on a BBC show, with the athlete competing on this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Ahead of the launch show, she said: "I am buzzing! But I will say it still genuinely feels like a dream; someone pinch me.

"I can’t comprehend that I’m actually going to be the person dancing in the sparkly dress and heels on the telly!"

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Tabby is best known for winning gold at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, having made her international debut five years prior.

Speaking about why she signed up for Strictly, she said in a statement: "I wanted a new challenge! I’ve still got so much more to do in my sport, but from when I turned 18 and discovered skeleton, my whole life has been spent doing the same thing, trying to master the same skills every single day.

"Of course that’s got me to an Olympic gold medal, which I couldn’t be prouder of - but it also means I’ve not put myself out there in a long time to go and learn something totally new and challenge myself in a different way, and that’s how we grow, right?

"Strictly feels like such an opportunity to find out who I am outside of my sport and push myself."

Gladiators returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC One in 2027. Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.

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Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more. Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club. LinkedIn