Former Hollyoaks star Sarah Jayne Dunn has shared that she’s “manifesting” a spot on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, revealing she’s always dreamt of appearing on the BBC show. The actor shared a video on Instagram titled “MANIFESTING STRICTLY 2026: WEEK 1”, laying out her plan for getting on the Strictly dancefloor.
In the video, Dunn said: “I’ve had an idea and it is either brilliant or completely delusional.
“I’m not sure which one, but I’m going to go with it. So I’m always encouraging you guys to try new things and push yourself out of your comfort zone and do things that scare you. So this is me doing that. Manifesting Strictly 2026.
“This has been something that I have dreamt, dared to dream about doing since Strictly Come Dancing was called Come Dancing. Who remembers those days?”
“There’s a little girl inside of me, little Sarah, who will not be happy until she has been on Strictly Come Dancing,” she added.
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Dunn went on to share that, though she’s always dreamt of being on the show, there’s always been a “little voice” inside of her telling her she can’t do it.
“I’m shutting that voice down because what have I got to lose?” she continued.
“What have I got to lose by putting myself out there and being vulnerable and saying that it’s something that I really, really, really want?
“Worst case scenario, I do this series, I have fun and I engage with you guys and I learn some new skills. Best case scenario… Help me with some ideas for this series. I’ve already got some.
“I’m going to look for some ballroom classes, push myself out of my comfort zone.”
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Related: Real-life Hollyoaks couple hit back at split rumours after four-year romance
Dunn exited Hollyoaks in 2021 following a dispute with the show over her OnlyFans account.
The actress had played Mandy Richardson on the soap since 1996, first appearing as a teenager.
After her departure, Dunn called out Hollyoaks for “double standards“, citing a scene in which Owen Warner’s character Romeo appeared in the nude.
Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
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