The highly anticipated 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing is beginning to take shape, with the BBC gradually revealing the celebrity contestants set to grace the ballroom. As of 27 July 2026, eight stars have been officially confirmed, promising a diverse mix of talent and personalities for the long-running dance competition.
This year's series will see a refreshed presenting line-up, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe taking the reins. The familiar faces of judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke are set to return, ready to critique the celebrity hopefuls as they vie for the coveted Glitterball trophy.
Among the confirmed contestants is EastEnders veteran Lacey Turner, known for her role as Stacey Slater since 2004. Turner, who has a string of awards and other acting credits including BBC's Our Girl, expressed her excitement at joining the show. She stated, "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!"
Former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer is also confirmed, making a return after an injury forced her to withdraw from last year's series. The daughter of EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, she shared her enthusiasm: "I’m so excited to say that I’m going 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."
The line-up further includes Australian singer and former Neighbours actor Delta Goodrem, who recently represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest. Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, renowned for working with global stars such as Britney Spears and Kim Kardashian, is also set to compete. Notably, Love Island's Cach Mercer has been announced, a move that suggests the BBC may be softening its reported stance against casting reality television personalities, a departure from previous years where such contestants were largely avoided unless they had established broader careers.
With more names expected to be announced in the coming weeks, the build-up to the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing is well underway. The mix of established actors, musicians, and reality stars, alongside the new presenting trio, hints at a vibrant and potentially unpredictable season.