The nation caught the Strictly bug earlier than usual this year when the new hosts were confirmed – but I don’t think anyone expected the first cast announcements to be revealed in June.
As someone who gets the annual string of emails announcing the line-up, I was very much taken aback yesterday when the first one hit my inbox.
Discussion typically turns to Strictly in late summer – around August time – when the BBC begins to drop the names of who will be strutting their stuff on the dance floor come September.
But just weeks after confirming that Emma Willis, Josh Widdecombe and Johannes Radebe will be replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as presenters, Strictly decided to give the audience a taster of who is taking part, revealing that EastEnders legend Lacey Turner will be among those competing for the Glitterball Trophy.
I must admit I cheered.
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As a longtime fan, so much of what I love about Strictly lies in its familiarity, warmth and joy, which is the perfect antidote to a time of year which is often cold, wet and miserable.
With so many changes afoot this year, it’s hard not to wonder if that familiarity and warmth will be retained (although I reckon that Jojo, Emma and Josh will knock it out of the park), so I was hoping that bosses would have some big names lined up to take part to bolster viewer interest.
And with just one name in, they’ve already won me over.
Stacey Slater – a stalwart of Albert Square for 22 years – has always been one of my favourite EastEnders characters and, when it comes to soap stars, Lacey is top tier.
An absolute titan of the genre who never fails to give 110% to every scene she does.
Whether it’s a slanging match with Stacey’s local nemesis, a smart quip or an expertly-delivered dialogue exchange to make viewers giggle (‘You just walk in ‘ere with your patatas bravas!’ ) or breaking our hearts with a powerhouse performance – often during an issue-led storyline – Lacey is a pro with a capital P.
Her commitment to her craft is second to none. Just weeks after going on maternity leave last year, she made a string of EastEnders appearances for what were often emotionally heavy scenes – pretty much whenever the storyline called for it.
And if that wasn’t impressive enough, weeks after giving birth, she played a vital role in the soap’s 40th anniversary live episode, which would have required extensive rehearsals and pages of dialogue to memorise. The scenes in question proved to be some of her most powerful to date.
As the Strictly celebs often note in the Clauditorium, there is a serious level of pressure when it comes to taking part in the BBC dance competition to ensure that they’re giving judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton DuBeke what they’re looking for.
From learning the steps to finessing their lines, understanding the characterisation of each dance and performing on live TV every Saturday night, the beloved BBC programme is rigorous to say the least, which means you really have to give it your all.
This is where Lacey will thrive. The characterisation of dances, such as a fiery Paso Doble or a moody Tango, is going to be in perfect hands with an actress of her calibre.
While the nerves of live TV could get the better of anyone, the Our Girl star has proven time and again that she excels under such pressure, having taken centre stage in various live EastEnders episodes over the years.
If Lacey brings even a modicum of the same commitment to Strictly as she does to EastEnders – and you just know that she will – then we could be about to witness one of the best celeb journeys the dance floor has ever seen.
Shortly after the news of her casting broke, one fan on X branded this the ‘soap version of Ariana Grande doing Strictly’. Another said that, for soap fans, this is the equivalent of the BBC competition signing Ronaldo.
I feel that sums it up perfectly. Though she’ll no doubt have competition from Dani Dyer – who is returning to the dance floor after an injury prevented her from taking part last year – Lacey very much has what it takes to be the winner. And it seems I’m not alone in saying she’s already mine.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One this September.
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