Strictly Come Dancing lineup: The confirmed 2026 celebrity cast – and the rumoured stars

We may be a few months away from Strictly Come Dancing’s big 2026 return, but the BBC show has already started revealing its incoming celebrity line-up.

Strictly has confirmed the first five stars who’ll be lacing up their dancing shoes and bopping across the BBC ballroom – from EastEnders’ Lacey Turner to celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton and most recently, Big Brother presenter Will Best.

The broadcaster appears to be breaking its reported rule about not allowing reality stars to take part as one of the latest addition to the line-up has been Love Island’s Cach Mercer, 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).

With new presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe at the helm of the new-and-improved Strictly ship, here’s the full list of stars who’ll be competing – and those rumoured to be joining them.

Confirmed

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 is 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.”

Rumoured

Jake Quickenden

According to reports, former X Factor contestant Jake Quickenden has “caught the eye of Strictly bookers”.

“He’s an actor and singer, so is a natural performer,” The Sun said of the reality TV stalwart who has appeared on I’m a Celebrity and won Dancing on Ice in 2018.

Quickenden’s possible appearance on Strictly was teased on Friday’s episode of Loose Women (12 June), when he introduced a competition for viewers. Afterwards, panellist Kaye Adams joked: “It’s a 10 from me!”

Dame Sarah Storey

Paralympian cyclist Dame Sarah Storey is another star being tipped for Strictly 2026. The Mirror reports that she is “delighted” about joining the show and is “really excited to be learning a new skill”. If her appearance on the show manifests, she’ll be the latest Paralympian to compete after Jonnie Peacock, Will Bayley, Jody Cundy and Ellie Simmonds.

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