Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Cast: The 15 Stars On This Year’s Line-Up

It’s not even September yet, but we already know the full cast for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

After months of speculation and teasing, the line-up has now been confirmed in full, consisting of big names from around the world of sport, soaps, fashion and beyond, who are ready to compete for that illustrious glitterball when the show returns to our screens.

If you’re already looking forward to Strictly’s return, here’s our quick guide to the full line-up competing in 2026…

The first 2026 cast member unveiled was EastEnders star Lacey Turner, in a surprise to fans as the announcement came much earlier in the year then usual.

Lacey is best known for playing Stacey Slater in the BBC soap on-and-off since 2005, and has also starred in the military drama Our Girl and appeared in Call The Midwife.

“I am so excited to be making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year!” she said when her Strictly stint was confirmed by the BBC in mid-June.

The soap star added: “I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!”

Dani Dyer was originally booked for last year’s season of Strictly – even taking part in its pre-recorded launch show – but was forced to pull out due to injury just days before the first live show.

She was replaced in the cast by fellow Love Island winner Amber Davies, who made it through to the 2025 final.

Almost a year later, Dani is now getting a second chance at nabbing the coveted Glitterball trophy.

She said: “I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!

“I’m just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!” Dani added.

Although best known as a singer thanks to hits like Born To Try and Lost Without You, Australian performer Delta Goodrem first found fame playing Nina Tucker in Neighbours, a role she held for around three years in the mid-2000s.

She’s also no stranger to reality TV, having served as both a coach on The Voice and The Voice Kids in her home country.

Delta’s Strictly stint comes off the back of her success at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. During the live final in Vienna back in May, she represented Australia with her song Eclipse, finishing in fourth place overall.

When announced as taking part in Strictly, she beamed: “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 first man confirmed for the Strictly 2026 cast was Chris Appleton, hairstylist to the stars and the man behind some of Kim Kardashian’s most famous red carpet hairdos.

Chris has earned a following online for his hair tutorials, as well as his collaborations with A-list clients like Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Ariana Grande.

The UK-born stylist said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience.

“I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story – and I can’t wait to get started.”

Cach Mercer is the second Love Islander to sign up for Strictly this year – and like fellow alum Dani Dyer, he won the series back in 2025.

The model, DJ, social media star and dancer enthused: “I have grown up watching Strictly with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast.

“Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!”

Will Best is a presenter most famous for fronting ITV’s Big Brother reboot and Hits Radio’s daily breakfast show.

He admitted: “I can’t quite believe it… I’m doing Strictly! What an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one.”

“I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this,” he claimed, adding: “I cannot wait!”

Dame Sarah Storey is a 19-time gold medallist and the most successful British Paralympian of all time, so she is more than prepared to handle the pressure that comes with competing on Strictly.

The decorated cyclist retired from the sport in June, but doesn’t have any intention of taking it easy as she makes history as the first Dame to hit the ballroom.

Sarah was inspired to take on the new challenge by her ballroom-dancing daughter, Louisa.

“Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting,” the Paralympian said.

She added: “I have always loved watching Strictly and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world, is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”

In 2024, the 30-time medallist was booked to compete on Dancing On Ice, but had to pull out due to fracturing her ankle during rehearsals.

Jaime Winstone was the eighth addition to the BBC show’s line-up.

Daughter of fellow actor Ray Winstone, Jaime is best known for her roles in Kidulthood, Made In Dagenham and the 2018 reboot of Tomb Raider.

She also won acclaim for her performance as Dame Barbara Windsor in the 2017 TV biopic Babs, later playing the late actor’s character Peggy Mitchell in a special flashback episode of EastEnders.

Strictly isn’t her first reality TV appearance, as the actor appeared on ITV’s The Masked Singer as Firework back in 2022.

“I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me,” she said when announced for the show.

She added: “I love a challenge though, so can’t wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!! Let’s get physical – see you on the dance floor!”

House Of The Dragon star and musical theatre actor Bethany Antonia was the ninth star revealed for this year’s Strictly.

Alongside playing Lady Baela Targaryen in the Game Of Thrones prequel, Bethany has appeared in the Harlan Coben adaptation Stay Close, ITV biopic Nolly and the 2025 Doctor Who episode The Well.

She is also currently appearing as Eurydice in the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown in the West End.

“I can’t quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom this September! I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill. See you on the dancefloor!” she told the BBC.

Shaun Wright-Phillips is a former England footballer and pundit.

During his career, Shaun had 36 caps for England, as well as playing for Manchester City, Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers, before moving to the USA and joining the New York Red Bulls and Phoenix Rising FC.

The son of football icon Ian Wright, Shaun now works with BBC, ITV and Sky Sports as a pundit.

Shaun told the BBC: “Dancing is in my blood—but mainly at family events! Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!”

The sportsman told The Sun that he joined Strictly and appeared on 2021’s Cooking With The Stars because he wanted to learn new skills.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m really nervous – it’s out of my comfort zone,” he admitted. “I know the hard work the dancers put into it but I’m excited for the journey and want to come out of it as a ballroom dancer,” the former footballer added.

Known to fans as “The Dogfather”, Graeme Hall is a respected canine expert who has been offering dog owners advice on both TV and in print for years.

He has fronted Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly on Channel 5 since 2019 as well as The Dog Hospital.

Graeme also regularly pens articles for The Times, and is an author of three adult books, including the Sunday Times Bestseller All Dogs Great And Small.

He admitted he “can’t believe” that he’s landed a spot on this year’s Strictly line-up, enthusing: “I have always loved dancing, so to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the business is a dream come true.

“I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking! I can’t wait to get started.”

Scottish actor Lawrence Robb is best known for playing Mackenzie “Mack” Boyd in Emmerdale, now a member of the iconic Dingle dynasty.

He also appeared alongside Billie Piper in an episode of I Hate Suzie.

Outside of his TV work, Lawrence has on-stage experience, appearing as Rapunzel’s Prince in Into The Woods, the Prince in Cinderella and in Legally Blonde The Musical.

“I don’t know who’s more excited about this, me or my Mother,” he joked to the BBC. “I can’t quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time! It’s a dream come true, and I can’t wait to bring my all to ballroom.”

“Wish me luck, and any advice is very welcome – trust me I’ll need it!” he added.

Olympic gold medallist Tabitha “Tabby” Stoecker is a skeleton racer who most famously won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

She is also a World Cup race winner, a double World Championship medallist and a European Championship medallist.

The athlete said she was “over the moon” at joining the cast of the BBC show, adding: “I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!”

Football content creator John Nellis has more than 20 million followers across social media.

He has amassed billions of views for his videos featuring global football stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi.

Most recently, John collaborated with Norwegian football star Erling Haaland, with content from the duo earning more than 60 million views across social media.

The former air traffic controller said he was “a little nervous” because he has never danced before.

He added: “It’s such an incredible opportunity, and I’m going to throw myself into every moment. I can’t wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!

The Welsh actor is best known for playing Gwen West, the doting mum of Joanna Page’s Stacey in the BBC sitcom.

She has also appeared in Hollyoaks and, more recently, the 2025 crime mystery Death Valley.

Melanie explained: “Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room,” so she is delighted to swap her “fairy wand for sequinned dance shoes.”

She added: “I cannot wait to take part in this absolutely iconic show, it’s so exciting. See you in September!”

Strictly Come Dancing will return to our screens in the autumn.