Strictly Come Dancing signs huge Eurovision star for 2026 series

Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed the third star for this year’s series and it’s Aussie icon Delta Goodrem, who just competed in Eurovision.

The BBC have already announced Dani Dyer and EastEnders legend Lacey Turner as the first celebs to sign up.

The former Love Island star is hoping to get a second shot at the trophy after being forced to drop out of the competition last year due to injury.

Meanwhile, newly revealed Delta, 41, finished fourth at the Eurovision Song Contest last month with her song Eclipse.

Speaking about Strictly, she said: ‘I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from TV, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however, one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!

‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!’

The Australian singer-songwriter was just 15 years old when she signed a recording contract with Sony Music, with her debut album Innocent Eyes then topping charts.

It reached number nine in the UK and it still holds the title as one of the highest-selling Australian albums of all time.

In the 23 years since, she’s gone on to release a further six albums, selling more than nine million copies worldwide.

Of course, no Australian star’s career would be complete without a stint on Neighbours, where she starred as Nina Tucker for over two years.

Throughout her career, Delta has faced several significant health hurdles – including being diagnosed with cancer when she was just 18.

She later suffered a paralysed nerve in her tongue following 2018 salivary gland surgery, which left her unable to speak or sing properly for nearly a year.

In more recent years, she’s become well known as a judge on The Voice Australia alongside stars like Boy George and Ricky Martin.

When speaking to Metro previously, Delta shared: ‘I was only 26 years old when I joined The Voice as a coach. I had started my career as a teenager and a decade later I was on this show with icons.

‘They were at different stages in their careers, and each year another icon would join our stage, and I was always learning from them, as well as the artists. I am always learning and listening.’

The singer added: ‘‘But on that show being surrounded by music and peoples’ dreams – you are celebrating and watching and studying. It was an incredible show to be a part of for so many years.

‘I loved learning from everybody there, as well as shared what I was learning each year with my artists. Some of them were actually older than me too!’

Strictly is set to return with a brand new set of hosts, after Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly revealed during last year’s series that they would be stepping down.

The Voice UK host Emma Willis, former Strictly pro Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe will be taking over, bringing a fresh new feel to the beloved show.

The BBC flagship show has surprised fans by beginning to announce the stars earlier than usual, a clear indicator that this titan of British TV isn’t going anywhere.

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will return in September this year.

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