Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line-up: Confirmed cast

It's time to get your dancing shoes on as Strictly Come Dancing is back!

Returning to screens this weekend, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe will take the helm as a brand new year in the ballroom begins.

As teased by the BBC, the show will open in spectacular style as the 15 celebrities taking part nervously wait to find out who their professional partners are!

So, just who is in the cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2026? Read on for everything you need to know.

Below is a list of the celebrities confirmed to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2026.

• Lacey Turner
• Dani Dyer
• Delta Goodrem
• Chris Appleton
• Cach Mercer
• Will Best
• Dame Sarah Storey
• Jaime Winstone
• Bethany Antonia
• Shaun Wright-Phillips
• Graeme Hall
• Lawrence Robb
• Tabby Stoecker
• John Nellis
• Melanie Walters

Read on to learn more about the rumoured famous faces.

Melanie Walters

Age: 64

Job: Actress

Instagram: @melaniewalters2025

Melanie Walters is an actress best known for her role as Gwen West on Gavin & Stacey. Across her career, her television work includes 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.

Melanie felt that Strictly was slightly "now or never", telling the BBC: "I’m not getting any younger! It just felt like the right time to dive into something like Strictly, which is something completely outside my normal life and my comfort zone.

"I’ve no formal dance training to speak of, my involvement in musicals and pantos have been as a character actress not a dancer, but I have always loved to dance. We’re talking disco, not clubbing! This is such an opportunity to push my boundaries and learn some beautiful routines and show them on live television!"

John Nellis

Age: 33

Job: YouTuber

Instagram: @johnnellis

John Nellis is one of the UK's biggest sports content creators, with a combined audience of more than 20 million followers.

His videos have amassed billions of views and featured some of the biggest sporting names, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo.

He won Sport Creator of the Year at the 2024 TikTok Awards UK & Ireland.

John said it was "a no-brainer" to say yes to Strictly, describing the opportunity as "an absolutely honour".

He added: "Strictly has been part of UK culture for more than 20 years, and it’s not something that John of four years ago would have ever thought I’d be asked to do. So, there wasn’t even a decision. It was only going to be a yes."

Tabby Stoecker

Age: 25

Job: Olympian

Instagram: @tabbystoecker

Tabby Stoecker is a highly decorated Team GB skeleton athlete, who famously won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

Despite only making her international debut in the sport five years ago, Stoecker's long list of accolades also includes being a World Cup race winner, a double World Championship medallist, a European Championship medallist, and many more.

Tabby said yes to Strictly because she 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," she said.

She added: "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!"

Lawrence Robb

Age: 34

Job: Actor

Instagram: @lawrencejarobb

Lawrence Robb is an actor best known for his role as Mackenzie 'Mack' Boyd on Emmerdale, where he has been at the centre of many of the show's most explosive storylines, including affairs, kidnap, murder and this year's landmark crossover, Corriedale.

Before joining Emmerdale six years ago, Robb appeared in I Hate Suzie alongside Billie Piper, Legally Blonde The Musical and Mojo in the West End.

For Lawrence, he is rather nervous but is very much looking forward to get his teeth stuck into learning a new skill and giving it his all.

He said: "I fully intend to use the eight hours every day to learn and to iron out the routines. I mean, talk to me in week three if I get that far, and I might be saying something different!

"I'm excited, but I'm also aware of how much work it's going to be, and that's nerve-wracking. On top of doing the show I am moving house, which is arguably more stressful than anything else an adult can do in modern day!"

Graeme Hall

Age: 60

Job: TV presenter

Instagram: @dogfather.graeme

Graeme Hall, who is known as "The Dogfather" fronts Channel 5’s hit show Dog’s Behaving (Very) Badly and The Dog Hospital with Graeme Hall.

Hall has also written several books, including the Sunday Times Bestseller All Dogs Great and Small, is a regular contributor to ITV’s This Morning and BBC Radio, and made a cameo appearance in the hit drama All Creatures Great and Small last year.

Graeme is most looking forward to wearing a tail suit, as he is a big fan of "the elegant look".

He said: "I’m known for my tweed and cravats, but Strictly takes ‘dapper’ to a new level, doesn’t it? Oh, and the sparkles. In for a penny...!"

Shaun Wright-Phillips

Age: 44

Job: Pundit

Instagram: @shaunwp98

Shaun Wright-Phillips is a former footballer, and son of footballing legend Ian Wright.

He has 36 caps for England across his professional career that also saw him play for Manchester City, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers and the USA's New York Red Bulls and Phoenix Rising FC.

Now a football pundit and broadcaster, Wright-Phillips has worked with the likes of the BBC, Sky Sports, ITV and the Premier League.

Keen to challenge himself and try something new, Shaun is looking forward to "stepping into a new arena and learning new skills".

"I'm also really excited to meet some amazing people along the way," he said.

Bethany Antonia

Age: 28

Job: Actress

Instagram: @bethanyantonia

Bethany Antonia is an actress, who has recently been on screens as Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon.

As well as appearing in House of the Dragon, Antonia is also currently starring in the West End in Hadestown, playing Eurydice in the musical adaptation of the Orpheus tale.

Strictly has been a big part of Bethany and her family's lives, with it being the one show they still all watch together.

She said: "It’s the call that I didn't ever think would come to be honest, but now it has, I'm just so excited!"

Jaime Winstone

Age: 41

Job: Actress

Instagram: @jaimewinstone

Jaime Winstone is an actress who received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of the legendary Barbara Windsor in the BBC biopic Babs, and she later went on to step into Windsor's famous role of Peggy Mitchell in various flashback episodes on EastEnders.

She recently reprised her role for the show's 40th anniversary, and the episode went on to win the British Soap Award for best single episode.

The actress began her career in 2004 and has since established herself as one of Britain's most recognisable screen talents, having starred in a string of acclaimed movies including Made in Dagenham, Bullet Boy, Tomb Raider and Wild Bill.

"I feel so excited! I feel like this is such a good time for me to do this," Jaime said of joining the show. "It’s such a great opportunity to show a little bit more of who I am, but also show how much I love performing, dressing up, collaborating with people, and being part of a team. Obviously, I'm a bit nervous which I think is normal, and I'm aware that it's going to be a lot of hard work, but I'm certainly up for the challenge!"

Dame Sarah Storey

Age: 48

Job: Athlete

Instagram: @damesarahstorey

Dame Sarah Storey is Britain’s most successful Paralympian, with 30 Paralympic medals, including 19 golds. She began her Paralympic career as a swimmer at Barcelona 1992, aged just 14, before later switching to cycling, where she became a dominant force on both road and track.

Dame Sarah has always wanted to do Strictly but has usually been competing in the autumn and so couldn't say yes - until now!

She added: "I am looking forward to working with the professionals and getting to know a whole new world that these incredible people have excelled in."

Will Best

Age: 41

Job: TV presenter

Instagram: @iamwillbest

Will Best is a TV presenter best known as the co-host of ITV’s Big Brother, which he presents alongside AJ Odudu, as well as the Hits Radio Breakfast Show.

He began his broadcasting career more than 15 years ago as a presenter on Channel 4's T4, before going on to appear on programmes across BBC Three, This Morning and music channel Viva.

Will said appearing on Strictly is a "dream come true", noting this his feelings are "a mixture of delirious excitement, and terror".

He added: "It still feels surreal and I can't quite picture myself on the show – it seems crazy that I'm going to be doing the thing that I've watched so many other people do for so long. And when I do imagine doing it, my knees go a bit wobbly."

Cach Mercer

Age: 25

Job: TV personality

Instagram: @cacherel_

Cach Mercer is a TV personality who rose to fame on Love Island 2025, which he won alongside ex-girlfriend Toni Laites.

Cach has since earned a strong social media following, with almost 50 million likes on TikTok alone, and works as a model, DJ and ambassador for the young persons' mental health charity YoungMinds.

A lover of dance, whether it be in the shower or at home, Cach is always dancing.

"I’m always dancing and I would love to feel what it's like to perform under pressure," he said.

Chris Appleton

Age: 43

Job: Celebrity hair stylist

Instagram: @chrisappleton1

Chris Appleton is a celebrity hair stylist best known for his work with Kim Kardashian, having helped create a number of the reality star and businesswoman’s most recognisable hairstyles.

His other high-profile clients include Jennifer Lopez, Sofía Vergara, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry, while British Vogue has previously described him as a "Hair Star".

His work has also featured in publications including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, Grazia and L’Officiel Paris.

Chris has loved watching Strictly for as long as he can remember and so when the opportunity arose, it was one he couldn't pass up.

"I’ve always believed in saying yes to new challenges, especially the ones that push you outside your comfort zone," he said. "That’s something I’ve always done throughout my career, however dancing is something completely different for me, and that’s exactly what makes it so exciting. One thing I’m not a stranger to is showbiz glam, so I’m really excited to wear the incredible outfits and try out different looks each week!"

Delta Goodrem

Age: 41

Job: Singer

Instagram: @deltagoodrem

Delta Goodrem is an Australian singer-songwriter has been in the music industry for over 25 years, having signed her first record deal at just 15. She gained international recognition with with her debut album Innocent Eyes, released in 2003, a 23-times Platinum phenomenon and one of the highest-selling albums in Australian history.

She recently represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, where she came in fourth place with an impressive 287 points.

For Delta, she felt as though the timing was finally right to take part on Strictly and is ready to step outside of her comfort zone away from the piano and songwriting.

She said: "I have a real passion for music and, I love dancing with all my heart, but I never get to do it! I'm hoping the music can guide me a bit, and the timing has been really right this year – taking on new challenges and getting out of the box, I really enjoy that."

Dani Dyer

Age: 30

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.

Since then, Dyer has appeared on The One Show as a guest reporter, co-presented MTV's True Love or True Lies? and made a guest appearance on EastEnders. She co-stars alongside her father Danny in The Dyers' Caravan Park - which has been renewed for a second season!

Dani was part of the 2025 line-up of Strictly Come Dancing but was forced to withdrew due to an injury, and is now returning for a second chance on the dance floor.

Dani told the BBC that she cried when she got the call to return for the 2026 series, having not assumed she'd get a second chance.

She added: "I can’t wait to finally get the opportunity to properly experience the Strictly journey. I am excited, nervous and emotional - all the feelings! But more than anything I can’t wait to get stuck in to learning how to dance and make the most of every single moment. As long as I don't trip over my own feet I will be happy!"

Lacey Turner

Age: 38

Job: Actress

Instagram: @laceyturner

Lacey Turner is an actress best known for her portrayal of Stacey Slater on EastEnders, first appearing in the show in 2004. The actress is currently on a temporary break from the BBC soap to spend time with her family - which is the reason she has now signed up for Strictly.

"I've always wanted to do it, but I've just never been brave enough," she told the BBC. "I've had a friend do it every year, so I know how hard it is. A lot of my friends are physically fit, and they have been exhausted."

She added: "So, whilst I'm not working on EastEnders this year, I thought it might be a good time to do it because I'm not sure I am physically or mentally fit enough to do both jobs at the same time as well as run a household with three feral children!"

Turner's other TV credits include Our Girl, Being Human and Switch.

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

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