The Strictly Come Dancing cast announcements for 2026 are now complete, with Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters rounding out the final line-up of 15 famous faces.
Strictly is undergoing huge changes this year, with three new hosts replacing outgoing presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe are the trio who’ll be leading proceedings when the series returns to screens in September.
Meanwhile, Strictly confirmed that it is adding five new professional dancers to the show after the recent cull.
Below is the full list of stars who’ll be competing...
Melanie Walters
Announced on Wednesday (12 August), Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters is the final contestant to be taking part in this year’s competition.
Walters, 64, is best known for her role as Gwen West, the sweet and softly spoken mother of Joanna Page’s Stacey on the hit BBC sitcom.
The actor said that she has turned down her annual stint in pantomime to take part in the show, stating: “Performing pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room. This year I am completely thrilled and happy to swap my fairy wand for sequinned dance shoes.”
She continued: “I just hope I don’t follow Cinderella and leave one on the Ballroom stairs. I cannot wait to take part in this absolutely iconic show, it’s so exciting. See you in September!”
Lacey Turner
EastEnders star Lacey Turner, who has played Stacey Slater on the soap since 2004, was the first 2026 contestant to be announced. 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.
Turner said in a statement: “I am so excited to being 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! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!”
Dani Dyer
Former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer was set to take part in last year’s Strictly, but had to withdraw after injuring herself. Now, the TV personality – whose dad is EastEnders actor Danny Dyer – is being given a second chance by bosses.
“I’m so excited to say that I’m going to be back in the ballroom this September,” she told her fans. “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 see everyone else that’s on it. See you soon, Strictly!”
Delta Goodrem
Australian singer, Eurovision star and former Neighbours actor Delta Goodrem said she is “thrilled” to be adding the Strictly stage to the many she’s performed on throughout her career.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
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.
Chris Appleton
Chris Appleton was the fourth contestant to be confirmed for Strictly’s 2026 line-up, with the hair stylist best known for working with Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and other big stars.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience,” he said on Friday 19 June. “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
Reality star Cacherel Mercer may be relatively fresh out of the Love Island villa but he’s heading to the Strictly dance floor later this year.
The 25-year-old model rose to fame on the ITV dating show last year, winning the series with now-ex Toni Laites.
“I 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’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!” he said ahead of his Strictly stint.
Will Best
TV presenter Will Best was the sixth contestant to be announced for Strictly Come Dancing’s 2026 line-up – with the broadcaster set for a busy end to the year with both the BBC show and Big Brother to host.
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’s Big Brother revival in 2023 alongside Strictly alumni AJ Odudu. He also presents The Hits Radio Breakfast Show alongside Fleur East and James Barr.
“I can’t quite believe it…I’m doing Strictly!” he said in a statement. “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. And I cannot wait!
“I have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dance floor! I’m going to try to enjoy every minute of it.”
Dame Sarah Storey
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.
“Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting,” the 48-year-old said.
“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!"
Storey is the latest Paralympian to compete after Jonnie Peacock, Will Bayley, Jody Cundy and Ellie Simmonds.
Jaime Winstone
Actor Jaime Winstone, 41, is part of Strictly Come Dancing’s 2026 line up – best known for starring in films such as Made in Dagenham, Kidulthood and Love, Rosie.
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’ flashback specials as Peggy Mitchell, most recently during the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations last year.
"I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year," she said in a statement. “I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.”
“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!"
Bethany Antonia
House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonio may have faced bloodthirsty enemies on the fantasy drama, but she’ll now have the fierce Strictly judges to contend with.
The 28-year-old is best known for playing Lady Baela Targaryen on the show, based on George RR Martin’s book series, as well as roles in Harlan Coben thriller Stay Close, ITV’s Nolly and Doctor Who.
“I can’t quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom this September!” she said at the time. “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!"
Shaun Wright-Phillips
Alongside Dani Dyer, another star with a famous dad is appearing on Strictly: former Man City and Chelsea football pro Shaun Wright-Phillips, who is the son of Ian Wright.
Speaking about his appointment, Wright-Phillips, 44, said: “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 retired footballer-turned-pundit also played for England, Queens Park Rangers and the USA’s New York Red Bulls and Phoenix Rising FC.
Graeme Hall
Nicknamed “The Dog Father”, Graeme Hall is a British dog trainer and author who rose to fame on the Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. How he’ll handle being trained himself, is a question that will be answered with time, and hours spent in the Strictly training room.
Hall said: “I can't believe I am joining the cast of Strictly for 2026. 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.
Lawrence Robb
Emmerdale star Lawrence Robb will be gracing the dancefloor on this year’s series of Strictly – which he’s called one of his favourite shows of all time.
The Scottish actor is best known for playing Mackenzie “Mack” Boyd in the ITV soap, a role he’s played since 2020. Earlier this year, he played a pivotal role in the soap’s crossover with Coronation Street, an acclaimed event named Corriedale.
His previous credits include TV comedy-drama I Hate Suzie, starring Billie Piper, and West End productions Legally Blonde The Musical and Mojo.
“I don't know who’s more excited about this, me or my mother,” he said of his appointment. “I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September. 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!”
Tabby Stoecker
Team GB skeleton athlete Tabby Stoecker, who won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, will be skating her way onto the Strictly dancefloor.
The 25-year-old said she was “over the moon” to be joining the show, which she called a “childhood dream” that will round off “the wildest year” of her life.
“It’s surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!” Stoecker said of her appointment.
John Nellis
Football content creator John Nellis, who has a combined audience of 20 million followers, will be bringing a younger audience to this year’s Strictly.
Nellis quit his job as an air traffic controller in 2022 to become a full-time TikTok and Instagram content creator, and he has interviewed some of sport’s biggest names, ranging from Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo, and even collaborated with Erling Haaland.
About his Strictly casting, he said: “I'm still in disbelief that I've been selected and, if I'm honest, I'm a little nervous as I've never danced before! 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!”
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