Strictly Come Dancing star ‘removes dance experience from CV’ ahead of 2026 show

Strictly Come Dancing star Lawrence Robb reportedly removed his dance experience from his CV ahead of his appearance on the BBC show

The 34-year-old Emmerdale actor is a former pupil at The Dance School of Scotland and has previously spoken about his dance background.

But that isn’t apparent if you look at his profile on the talent website United Agents, where casting directors can look at Robb’s credits, which include his long-running stint as Mackenzie Boyd in the ITV1 soap.

The profile only lists his skills as a variety of accent work, singing and sports, with no mention of his dance background. 

The Sun has reported that Robb’s profile previously stated that he trained in jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary and pas de deux.

A source told the publication: ‘Strictly famously features Latin and ballroom styles. Lawrence clearly has a good foundation but Strictly will be a whole new challenge for him.’

The actor has also spoken about his two years at the school, saying: ‘I studied at Knightswood, incorporating the Dance School of Scotland along with the musical theatre course back in 2007 and left in 2009.

‘I then went on to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and since then have done a few things in the West End.’

The show has undergone a huge revamp for the 2026 series, but the grumbles around past dance experience among the celebrities will no doubt be a repeat fixture, after blighting Amber Davies in particular during the 2025 run.

The West End performer and former Love Islander was added to the ballroom fairly late in the game, after Dani Dyer was forced to bow out due to injury (she will now be back this year).

But due to that musical theatre experience, Davies faced everything from fellow contestants’ family members criticising ‘experienced dancers’ to viewers claiming she copied a dance routine from The Great Gatsby musical. Ultimately, she was pipped to the post in the final by Lioness Karen Carney.

‘I can’t believe I have to say this in 2025, but being ambitious as a woman, being confident, having dreams and working hard does not mean you’re stuck up. It doesn’t mean that you’re arrogant and I want to change that,’ Davies said ahead of the final when asked about the criticism.

‘At the end of the day, I come from a small town in North Wales and I have worked so hard because I love what I do. And the fact that I was given this [opportunity], no one was going to decline Strictly Come Dancing as a Strictly fan. 

‘So I just want to reiterate, we live once. Whatever you’re ambitious about… whatever you care for in life, go for it with two hands. And don’t undermine yourself to make other people feel comfortable because that’s not what we’re here for.’

It seems Robb may be trying to stave off the same fate as Davies. Metro has contacted his agent for comment.