EastEnders’ Lacey Turner announced as first Strictly 2026 contestant

• The BBC has announced that Lacey Turner, known for her role as Stacey Slater in EastEnders, will be a contestant on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.
• Turner has garnered multiple awards during her tenure on the long-running BBC soap opera and has also featured in various stage productions and TV dramas, including the lead role in Our Girl.
• Turner said she is "so excited" to join the dance competition and is a long-time fan of the show.
• She conveyed her disbelief at participating rather than watching from home and eagerly anticipates meeting the cast and crew.
• Turner also says she is looking forward to the opportunity of acquiring a new skill through her involvement in the popular dancing programme.

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Strictly Come Dancing reveals first celebrity contestant for 2026