Who is Sarah Storey? Meet Strictly Come Dancing 2026 contestant and Paralympian

After being forced to drop out of Dancing on Ice due to an injury, Dame Sarah Storey is headed back onto the dance floor but this time, her toes will be on a less slippery dance floor.

This weekend, Sarah and 14 other famous faces will begin their Strictly Come Dancing journeys but they can all relax a little as eliminations are a while to go. Up first is the launch show, which features a big group number as the celebrities get their first taste of the ballroom.

Then, next Saturday, the celebrities will take part in their very first live show where they will be given their first scores of the series. But these points will then roll over to the next week - where the real intensity begins.

But before all that, let's get to know Sarah Storey. Scroll on to find out more about the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 contestant.

Age: 48

Job: Athlete

Instagram: @damesarahstorey

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.

Just some of her major achievements include being a 29-time world champion, a 21-time European champion and holding 75 world records. She took part in the Paralympics on nine occasions between 1992 and 2024, making her one of the most experienced campaigners in the history of the games.

Storey was previously part of the 2025 Dancing on Ice cast, however she was forced to withdraw after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals.

What has Sarah Storey said about Strictly Come Dancing?

For Dame Sarah, Strictly has been a show she has always wanted to do, but she has often been competing in the autumn and so could never say yes. But as she has stepped down from competition, now felt like "the perfect time".

Ahead of the launch show, Dame Sarah said she felt "a combination of nervous and excited".

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."

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

Add Strictly Come Dancing to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.