{"id":707305,"date":"2026-07-23T15:51:32","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T15:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/707305\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T15:51:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T15:51:32","slug":"strictly-come-dancing-lineup-meet-the-confirmed-celebrity-cast-of-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/707305\/","title":{"rendered":"Strictly Come Dancing lineup: Meet the confirmed celebrity cast of 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The line-up for Strictly Come Dancing\u2019s <\/a>2026 series is slowly coming together, with the BBC gradually revealing this year\u2019s celebrity cast. <\/p>\n

The long-running dance competition has confirmed the first eight stars who\u2019ll be bopping across the ballroom in the hopes of impressing judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke when the series begins in September. <\/p>\n

The broadcaster appears to be breaking its reported rule about not allowing reality stars to take part as one of the latest additions to the line-up includes Love Island\u2019s Cach Mercer<\/a>, who left the ITV villa last year and is yet to carve out a different niche in showbiz (unlike presenter Dani Dyer and West End star Amber Davies). <\/p>\n

With new presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe at the helm of the new-and-improved Strictly ship, here\u2019s the full list of stars who\u2019ll be competing \u2013 and those rumoured to be joining them. <\/p>\n

Confirmed<\/p>\n

Lacey Turner<\/p>\n

\"LaceyLacey Turner is competing on \u2018Strictly Come Dancing\u2019 2026 (Getty)<\/p>\n

EastEnders star Lacey Turner, who has played Stacey Slater on the soap since 2004, was the first 2026 contestant to be announced<\/a>. The actor has won multiple awards during her time on the show while also appearing in stage productions and TV dramas, including the lead role in BBC series Our Girl.<\/p>\n

Turner said in a statement: \u201cI am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing!<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a huge fan and can\u2019t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!\u201d<\/p>\n

Dani Dyer<\/p>\n

\"DaniDani Dyer will be a contestant on \u2018Strictly Come Dancing\u2019 2026 (BBC)<\/p>\n

Former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer was set to take part in last year\u2019s Strictly, but had to withdraw<\/a> after injuring herself. Now, the TV personality \u2013 whose dad is EastEnders actor Danny Dyer \u2013 is being given a second chance by bosses. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so excited to say that I\u2019m going to be back in the ballroom this September,\u201d she told her fans. \u201cI just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one. I\u2019m just over the moon and cannot wait to see everyone else that\u2019s on it. See you soon, Strictly!\u201d <\/p>\n

Delta Goodrem<\/p>\n

\"DeltaDelta Goodrem is one of the \u2018Strictly Come Dancing\u2019 2026 stars (Getty)<\/p>\n

Australian singer, Eurovision star and former Neighbours actor Delta Goodrem<\/a> said she is \u201cthrilled\u201d to be adding the Strictly stage to the many she\u2019s performed on throughout her career.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career \u2013 from TV, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is, however, one stage I\u2019ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor. I\u2019m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can\u2019t wait to get started.\u201d<\/p>\n

Goodrem has also been a judge on The Voice Australia and competed for the country at the Eurovision Song Contest, finishing fourth earlier this year.<\/p>\n

Chris Appleton<\/p>\n

\"ChrisChris Appleton has worked with Kim Kardashian, J-Lo and other stars (BBC)<\/p>\n

Chris Appleton was the fourth contestant to be confirmed for Strictly\u2019s 2026 line-up<\/a>, with the hair stylist best known for working with Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and other big stars.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience,\u201d he said on Friday 19 June. \u201cI\u2019ve 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 \u2013 and I can\u2019t wait to get started.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cach Mercer<\/p>\n

\"CachCach Mercer (Getty)<\/p>\n

Reality star Cacherel Mercer may be relatively fresh out of the Love Island villa but he\u2019s heading to the Strictly dance floor later this year. <\/p>\n

The 25-year-old model rose to fame on the ITV dating show last year, winning the series with now-ex Toni Laites. <\/p>\n

\u201cI have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can\u2019t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!\u201d he said ahead of his Strictly stint.<\/p>\n

Will Best <\/p>\n

\"WillWill Best has joined the \u2018Strictly\u2019 line-up (BBC)<\/p>\n

TV presenter Will Best was the sixth contestant to be announced<\/a> for Strictly Come Dancing\u2019s 2026 line-up \u2013 with the broadcaster set for a busy end to the year with both the BBC show and Big Brother to host. <\/p>\n

The 41-year-old, whose father is politician Baron Richard Best, shot to fame as a presenter on T4 in the early 2010s before becoming the co-host of ITV\u2019s Big Brother revival in 2023 alongside Strictly alumni AJ Odudu. He also presents The Hits Radio Breakfast Show alongside Fleur East and James Barr. <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t quite believe it\u2026I\u2019m doing Strictly!\u201d he said in a statement. \u201cWhat an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one. I\u2019ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dance floor! I\u2019m going to try to enjoy every minute of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dame Sarah Storey<\/p>\n

\"DameDame Sarah Storey (BBC)<\/p>\n

Paralympian cyclist Dame Sarah Storey was the seventh contestant to be announced for Strictly 2026. Storey is the most successful Paralympian of all time, having won 19 gold medals, and her appearance on the show comes shortly after her retirement.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmbarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting,\u201d the 48-year-old said. <\/p>\n

\u201cI 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\u2019t wait to get started!”<\/p>\n

Storey is the latest Paralympian to compete after Jonnie Peacock, Will Bayley, Jody Cundy and Ellie Simmonds. <\/p>\n

Jaime Winstone<\/p>\n

\"JaimeJaime Winstone (Getty)<\/p>\n

Actor Jaime Winstone, 41 is part of Strictly Come Dancing\u2019s 2026 line up \u2013 best known for starring in films such as Made in Dagenham, Kidulthood and Love, Rosie.<\/p>\n

Winstone, whose father is the national treasure Ray Winstone, received widespread praise for her performance as the legendary Barbara Windsor in the BBC biopic Babs. She also appeared in EastEnders\u2019 flashback specials as Peggy Mitchell, most recently during the soap\u2019s 40th anniversary celebrations last year. <\/p>\n

“I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year,” she said in a statement. \u201cI am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI love a challenge though, so can\u2019t wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!! Let\u2019s get physical \u2013 see you on the dance floor!”<\/p>\n

Rumoured<\/p>\n

Shaun Wright-Phillips<\/p>\n

Another star with a famous dad, who might appear on this year\u2019s Strictly, is Man City and Chelsea football pro Shaun Wright-Phillips.<\/p>\n

\"\"(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

A source told the outlet that bosses \u201care delighted to have landed\u201d him as a contestant as footballers \u201calways bring a different audience to the show\u201d. It\u2019s also claimed producers are hoping his popular dad \u2013 footballer-turned-pundit Ian Wright \u2013 will be a regular presence in the Strictly studio.<\/p>\n

Mark Clattenburg<\/p>\n

\"MarkMark Clattenburg has been rumoured for \u2018Strictly\u2019 2026 (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Former football referee Mark Clattenburg is rumoured to be appearing on Strictly. <\/p>\n

Clattenburg, 51, retired from the sport in 2017 and became the head referee in BBC\u2019s Gladiators reboot in 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cClatts manages to appeal to young and old, families, children and football fans \u2013 plus he\u2019s easy on the eye for the mums,\u201d a source told the outlet.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat amazing fan base is a major bonus, the sort of thing the BBC is always keen to utililise. No final decision has been made yet, but if Clatts doesn\u2019t make the cut this year, he\u2019ll remain a target. The line-up is shaping up nicely, but there are a few spots left.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jake Quickenden<\/p>\n

\"JakeJake Quickenden might be two-stepping onto \u2018Strictly (Getty)<\/p>\n

According to reports, former X Factor contestant Jake Quickenden has \u201ccaught the eye of Strictly bookers\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s an actor and singer, so is a natural performer,\u201d the outlet said of the reality TV stalwart who has appeared on I\u2019m a Celebrity and won Dancing on Ice in 2018.<\/p>\n

Quickenden\u2019s possible appearance on Strictly was teased on Friday\u2019s episode of Loose Women (12 June), when he introduced a competition for viewers. Afterwards, panellist Kaye Adams joked: \u201cIt\u2019s a 10 from me!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":707306,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[198652,71525,428,3256,6491,6494,163590,96,59,140648,11237,128,187443,6487,234531,186838,185932,56,54,55,198650,198651],"class_list":["post-707305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-70th-eurovision-song-contest","tag-arts-culture-and-entertainment","tag-australia","tag-austria","tag-celebrities","tag-color-image","tag-delta-goodrem","tag-entertainment","tag-gb","tag-grand-final","tag-horizontal","tag-music","tag-performing-arts-event","tag-photography","tag-representing","tag-stage-performance-space","tag-theatrical-performance","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom","tag-vienna-austria","tag-wiener-stadthalle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/707305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=707305"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/707305\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/707306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=707305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=707305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=707305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}