Full Strictly 2026 line-up as Gavin and Stacey legend becomes final star to join cast

Strictly Come Dancing fever is well underway ahead of the 2026 series, with several members of the cast already revealed, including a TV legend.

This year’s batch of competitors will no doubt be hoping to replicate the success of Lioness Karen Carney and professional partner Carlos Gu, who emerged as last year’s winners.

And the newcomers will be joining Strictly at an important time, with a number of enormous changes taking place on the BBC’s flagship dancing show.

This, of course, includes the departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman – replaced by three new hosts (count ’em!) in broadcaster Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and pro dancer Johannes Radebe.

The pro dancer line-up has also undergone some sweeping changes, too, with fan favourites Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Gorka Márquez having departed, while Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will be ‘benched’ without a partner.

As bosses look to usher Strictly into a new era – hopefully scandal-free from now on – let’s take a look at who has been confirmed and who is rumoured for the 2026 line-up.

Who is confirmed in the Strictly Come Dancing cast 2026?

Melanie Walters

Completing the class of 2026 is Gavin and Stacey star, Melanie Walters.

Best known as portraying the ‘mild-mannered, omelette-obsessed Gwen West’ in the hit BBC comedy, she’s also been a staple on British TV for decades.

Over the years she’s appeared in Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Biff and Chip, and Doc Martin – to name a few. Not only that, but she’s also a prolific stage star.

The actress said: ‘Performing in 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. 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!”

John Nellis

YouTuber John Nellis was the fourteenth celebrity to be announced for Strictly 2026.

Nellis is one of the UK’s biggest and most influential sports creators with 15 million people subscribed to his YouTube channel.

He’s also collaborated with some of the biggest names in sport, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

‘I’m still in disbelief that I’ve been selected for Strictly 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,’ he said in a statement.

‘I can’t wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!’

I wonder if Haaland will make the trip over to watch his mate waltz about the ballroom?

Tabby Stoecker

Olympic gold medallist Tabby Stoecker will be swapping skeleton for Strictly in September after being announced as the show’s 13th contestant.

Stoecker recently achieved huge success, coming first in her sport at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games held in Italy, despite only making her international debut half a decade ago.

The athlete said about joining the BBC competition: ‘I am over the moon to be joining the cast of Strictly 2026.

‘I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!’

Tabby is also a World Cup race winner, European Champion medallist and a double World Champion medallist.

The winter sport sees competitors race headfirst on sled down an icy track as fast as possible.

Lawrence Robb

Best known for playing Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Boyd – a member of the legendary Dingle clan – on Emmerdale, Lawrence Robb is the latest star to join the Strictly cast of 2026.

‘I don’t know who’s more excited about this, me or my Mother,’ Robb told the BBC.

‘I can’t quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time! 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!’

Let’s hope that Robb has more luck in the ballroom than Mack’s had in recent years.

By last count, Mack’s been in three car crashes and held hostage twice in just six years, and that’s without mentioning the time he was shot with a crossbow. It brings new meaning to the Strictly curse!

Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall

Graeme Hall will be a familiar face to dog lovers.

The 60-year-old is best known as the presenter of Channel 5’s Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, which he has helmed for almost a decade.

He also fronted The Dog Hospital with Graeme Hall, regularly appears on This Morning and BBC radio, and last year made a cameo in All Creatures Great and Small.

When he was announced for Strictly, he 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 than a bit nerve-wracking! I can’t wait to get started. Bring it on!’

Shaun Wright-Phillips

Pundit and former Three Lions footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips has become the latest name to join the celebrity cast of 2026.

The son of Ian Wright, his career spanned 36 England caps and stints at Manchester City, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers, and the New York Red Bulls and Phoenix Rising FC.

Since leaving the pitch, he’s been a pundit across the BBC, Sky Sports, ITV, and the Premier League.

But Wright-Phillips is about to put his feet to a different use this autumn and said with the announcement: ‘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!’

Bethany Antonia

Since first hitting the screens when she was just 14 years old in The Tempest, the 28-year-old star’s career has only gone from strength to strength.

After appearing in shows like Doctors, Nolly, Get Even, Doctor Who and Stath Lets Flats, nowadays she’s best known for her starring turn in HBO series House of the Dragon.

In the popular fantasy series, she plays dragon-rider Lady Baela Targaryen, while theatre fans may recognise her as Eurydice in West End hit Hadestown.

Now she’s bringing her all to the ballroom. In a statement, she said: ‘I can’t quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom this September!

‘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!’

Jaime Winstone

Next up we have blockbuster star Jaime Winstone, who is known for her stacked filmography including Kidulthood, Bullet Boy, Tomb Raider, and Wild Bill.

Her onscreen talent is clearly genetic, as the daughter of Hollywood star Ray Winstone, whose decorated five-decade career has included major hitters like The Departed and Beowulf.

As for Jaime, in the soap world some may recognise her as the star who played EastEnders’ Barbara Windsor in her 2017 biopic Babs and a young Peggy Mitchell in the series.

‘I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year. 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!,’ she said in a statement.

Dame Sarah Storey

Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian of all time, Dame Sarah Storey, will surely be hoping to add to her medal collection with the Strictly trophy.

The 48-year-old athlete is a cyclist and swimmer who holds multiple gold medals in the Paralympic Games. She’s also a six-time British national track champion.

Dame Sarah was born without a functioning left hand and began her Paralympic career aged 14 as a swimmer. For much of 2005, she was unable to swim due to ear infections, which is when she picked up cycling and made the permanent switch before Beijing 2008.

At the start of this month, she announced her retirement from competitive sport, so perhaps stepping into the Strictly ballroom is the next thing on her bucket list.

As the first dame to compete in the show, she said: ‘Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.

‘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!’

Will Best

Big Brother presenter Will Best is the latest big-ticket name to join the celebrity cast of 2026.

The 41-year-old co-hosts ITV’s reality show with AJ Odudu and can also be heard over the airwaves on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show.

Most recently, he was seen winning Celebrity Mastermind with the specialist subject of Danny Dyer, so he’ll certainly have plenty to talk about with one of his Strictly competitors (scroll on to find out which).

Best said of his inclusion in the line-up: ‘I can’t quite believe it…I’m doing Strictly!

‘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.’

Cach Mercer

Rolling in at number five is influencer Cach Mercer, who is already in good standing after winning reality show Love Island with his partner Toni Laites in 2025.

Off the back of his Casa Amor victory, he’s trading sunny days in Mallorca for the high-energy Strictly dance floor.

Although he may well feel right at home, given his social media fame comes from posts showing off his Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance moves.

‘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 in a statement.

Time will tell if his moves, which have won over 1.3 million TikTok followers and counting, will be enough for the general public.

Chris Appleton

Born in Leicester, the 43-year-old creative has made it all the way to Hollywood as a hairstylist to the stars, including bestie Kim Kardashian and other A-listers like J-Lo, Sofia Vergara, and Ariana Grande.

In 2023, Kim K even officiated his wedding to screenstar Lukas Gage (the couple later divorced), and his career continues to ascend even higher.

Now, he’s cha-chaing his way onto the dance floor to show just what he’s soaked up from all the performers he’s hung out with over the years.

He said in a statement: ‘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.’

Delta Goodrem

The Australian singer-songwriter, Delta Goodrem, was just 15 years old when she signed her first record deal and her careers gone from strength to strength ever since.

The 41-year-old has released seven albums, sold millions of copies, and even represented Australia at Eurovision 2026 – basically, she knows the stage like the back of her hand.

Still, there’s a difference between singing and dancing, but that’s a challenge Deta is keen to take on.

‘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, there is, however, one stage I’ve never stepped onto, and that is the ballroom floor,’ she said in a statement.

‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!’

With an attitude like that, is it any wonder Delta has reportedly been on the Strictly boss’s wishlist for years?

Lacey Turner

She’s been playing EastEnders’ favourite Stacey Slater for over 20 years, but now Lacey Turner is set to appear on the BBC in a very different way.

As the 38-year-old soap actress takes a break from Albert Square to pursue new ventures, it seems her journey is taking her from the cobblestones straight onto the dance floor.

In the announcement, Lacey wrote: ‘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! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!’

It wouldn’t be the first time an EastEnders icon has appeared on Strictly – who could forget Jake Wood (aka Max Branning) with his Mambo No. 5 salsa?

Dani Dyer

Poor Dani Dyer had one of the briefest Strictly stints ever last year, as she was forced to withdraw shortly after the launch show due to an ankle fracture. But now – she’s back!

Dani was originally partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, who went on to reach the final with Amber Davies when she filled in at the last minute.

The reality TV star previously said on The Jonathan Ross Show that she would ‘love’ to do Strictly again, saying: ”If they rang me, I’d answer the phone. I was devastated. It was hell for me when I hurt my foot; I was so sad.’

Her dream has now become a reality, as she’s confirmed for the 2026 line-up.

‘I am so excited 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 29-year-old said in a statement.

‘I’m just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!’

Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC in September.

A version of this article was first published on May 31, 2026.

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