Strictly Contestants 2026: Confirmed Stars, Rumoured Names and the New Era Facing the BBC Ballroom

Strictly Come Dancing is preparing for one of its most closely watched seasons in years, and the 2026 line-up is already generating major attention. With the BBC beginning to reveal the celebrities set to compete for the famous Glitterball Trophy, the new series arrives at a pivotal moment for the long-running entertainment format.

This is not just another celebrity casting cycle. Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will also mark a visible change in the identity of the show itself. Long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have left the programme, and the BBC’s flagship dance competition is moving forward with a refreshed presenting team, a changed professional dancer roster and a cast designed to bring together soap drama, reality TV familiarity, international pop appeal and potential sporting excellence.

The confirmed Strictly contestants for 2026 so far include Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer and Delta Goodrem. Alongside them, several well-known names have been linked to the ballroom, including Jake Quickenden and Dame Sarah Storey, with further reports also pointing to Jeff Brazier and Josie Gibson as possible additions.

For viewers, the question is not only who will dance, but what this new cast says about the future direction of Strictly.

 

A Fresh Chapter for Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing has long relied on a simple but enduring formula: pair celebrities with professional dancers, place them under the pressure of live performance, and invite the public to follow their transformation week by week.

Each celebrity is partnered with a professional dancer who trains them in Ballroom and Latin routines. The couples perform live in front of a judging panel, receive scores, and are then ranked using a combination of judges’ marks and public votes. Those at the bottom face the dance-off, where one pair is ultimately eliminated.

That format remains central to the show’s success. But in 2026, the atmosphere around the series is different. The departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman represents a major presenting change for a programme that has depended heavily on continuity and familiarity. The revamped series will be fronted by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.

The show’s professional dancer line-up has also undergone changes. Fan favourites Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Márquez have departed, while Neil Jones and Nancy Xu are reported to be “benched” without celebrity partners.

Together, these changes create the sense of a programme deliberately entering a new phase — one still built around sequins, Saturday-night spectacle and emotional journeys, but with new faces guiding the experience.

Lacey Turner: Soap Royalty Steps Into the Ballroom

The first celebrity officially confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 was Lacey Turner, best known to millions of viewers as Stacey Slater in EastEnders.

Turner has played Stacey since 2004, becoming one of the soap’s most recognisable and decorated stars. Her long-running presence on EastEnders gives her a built-in audience, particularly among BBC viewers who have watched her character navigate some of the soap’s most dramatic storylines.

Her participation also continues a familiar Strictly tradition: recruiting major soap actors who already understand the demands of performance, timing and emotional storytelling. While acting and dancing are very different disciplines, Turner’s years of screen experience could help her connect with routines that require character, expression and narrative.

In her announcement, Turner said: “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!”

That statement captures one of the show’s most effective hooks: the idea of a familiar star becoming a beginner in front of the nation. For Turner, the challenge will be stepping outside the controlled environment of scripted drama and into the unpredictable world of live dance.

Dani Dyer: A Second Chance After Injury

Dani Dyer’s confirmation brings a strong comeback storyline to the 2026 series.

The television personality was originally set to take part previously but was forced to withdraw after an ankle fracture. That early exit gave her one of the briefest Strictly journeys in recent memory, but it also left an unfinished narrative that the 2026 series can now revisit.

Dyer first rose to national prominence through Love Island and has remained a familiar figure in British entertainment. She is also the daughter of EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, giving her another connection to the BBC soap universe that has often crossed paths with Strictly.

Her return to the ballroom gives the show a ready-made emotional arc: a contestant who missed her original opportunity, watched from the sidelines and now has a chance to begin again.

Dyer previously said on The Jonathan Ross Show that she would “love” to do Strictly again, adding: “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.”

Now officially back in the line-up, she has expressed clear enthusiasm for the opportunity.

“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!” she said in a statement.

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

For audiences, Dani Dyer’s casting offers both familiarity and redemption. She is not simply a new contestant; she is someone returning to finish what she started.

Delta Goodrem: International Star Power Joins the Competition

Delta Goodrem brings a different kind of profile to Strictly Come Dancing 2026.

The Australian singer-songwriter adds international celebrity appeal to the cast. Goodrem signed her first record deal at the age of 15 and has built a career across music, television and live performance. She has released seven albums, sold millions of copies and served as a coach on The Voice Australia. She also represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest this year, where she secured fourth position.

Goodrem’s professional background means she is no stranger to performing in front of large audiences. But Strictly has often shown that stage experience does not automatically translate into ballroom success. The discipline of Latin and Ballroom dance requires posture, footwork, partnership, musicality and technical precision that differ sharply from pop performance.

Still, Goodrem appears ready to embrace that challenge.

“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!”

Her casting broadens the show’s appeal beyond the usual UK entertainment circuit. It also introduces a contestant who may be comfortable with performance pressure but still has something genuinely new to learn.

Jake Quickenden: A Reality TV Performer Linked to the Line-Up

Jake Quickenden has not been officially confirmed, but he is among the rumoured celebrities linked to Strictly Come Dancing 2026.

Quickenden first became known through The X Factor and later appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! He also competed on Dancing on Ice, winning the show in 2018. That victory makes him an intriguing potential Strictly signing because it suggests he already has performance discipline, timing and an ability to handle reality competition pressure.

Reports suggest that Quickenden has impressed Strictly producers because of his performance background. His name was also jokingly referenced during an episode of Loose Women on June 12, when panellist Kaye Adams quipped, “It’s a 10 from me!” after he appeared on the programme.

The main question around Quickenden would be how viewers respond to a contestant who already has a dance-adjacent reality competition victory behind him. Strictly has often featured performers with previous movement experience, but audience perception can matter. Some viewers may see him as a natural entertainer; others may wonder whether his Dancing on Ice background gives him an advantage.

Either way, if confirmed, he would arrive with a strong understanding of television competition formats — and the confidence to perform under public scrutiny.

Dame Sarah Storey: A Champion’s Mindset for the Ballroom?

Dame Sarah Storey is another major name linked to the 2026 series.

One of Britain’s most decorated Paralympians, Storey is best known for her extraordinary cycling career. Reports describe her as enthusiastic about the possibility of joining Strictly and eager to embrace a completely new challenge.

If confirmed, she would follow previous Paralympic competitors Jonnie Peacock, Will Bayley, Jody Cundy and Ellie Simmonds, all of whom have taken part in Strictly Come Dancing.

Her potential casting would bring an elite athlete’s mindset to the ballroom. Strictly has repeatedly shown that athletes often enter the competition with discipline, resilience and competitive focus, but they must also adapt to the expressive, theatrical and sometimes vulnerable world of dance.

A source quoted in the provided material said: “Sarah is delighted to be taking part in Strictly and is really excited to be learning a new skill.

“She is obviously very competitive and hopes to give the contest her all, while letting viewers get to know her personality.

“She’s also keen to embrace the glamour of the show and is looking forward to getting dressed up.”

Storey’s reported involvement would also strengthen Strictly’s tradition of casting contestants whose personal stories extend beyond entertainment. Her career achievements and competitive reputation could make her one of the most closely followed rumoured names if she is officially confirmed.

Jeff Brazier and Josie Gibson: More Rumoured Names in the Mix

Other rumoured names include Jeff Brazier and Josie Gibson, both of whom would bring strong British television recognition to the series.

Jeff Brazier’s name carries an existing Strictly connection. His son, Bobby Brazier, competed in 2023 and reached the final with professional partner Dianne Buswell. Reports suggest Jeff has been approached and may now be tempted by the opportunity, particularly after time has passed since Bobby’s successful run.

A source said: “Previously he said he wouldn’t do it because he didn’t want to step on Bobby’s toes. But three years have passed now and it’s a massive opportunity for Jeff.

“He has discussed it with Bobby who thinks it would be amazing if his dad was to give it a go. Jeff has yet to sign his contract but everyone around him is urging him to do it.”

Josie Gibson, meanwhile, would bring warmth, humour and daytime TV popularity. She first became widely known after winning Big Brother and later became a familiar face on This Morning. In 2023, she placed fourth on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

A source said: “Josie has been on the BBC’s radar for a while, and they’ve not given up their pursuit.”

The same source added: “They’re hoping this year is the year, and talks are progressing well.”

“Bosses are convinced her down-to-earth charm will be the boost this year’s new-look show needs,” the insider also claimed. “Warm and engaging, she’s just what they require right now and will be a sure-fire hit with fans.”

If Gibson were confirmed, she would fit neatly into a long-running Strictly pattern: the relatable television personality who may not arrive as the most technically polished dancer but could become a public favourite through personality, effort and entertainment value.

Why the 2026 Line-Up Matters

The Strictly Come Dancing 2026 contestants are being introduced at a moment when casting is doing more than filling celebrity slots. The line-up is helping define the mood of a changed show.

Lacey Turner gives the series BBC familiarity and soap loyalty. Dani Dyer offers a comeback storyline. Delta Goodrem brings international performance credibility. Jake Quickenden, if confirmed, would add reality competition experience. Dame Sarah Storey would bring sporting excellence and inspirational appeal. Jeff Brazier and Josie Gibson would contribute recognisable television personalities with strong audience connections.

That blend matters because Strictly succeeds when the cast feels varied. The show needs potential frontrunners, emotional journeys, surprise improvers, household names and contestants who can draw viewers from different parts of the entertainment world.

In 2026, the cast also has to help audiences adjust to wider changes around the show. New hosts, altered professional line-ups and a sense of renewal mean the celebrities will play an important role in maintaining continuity. Viewers may be watching partly to see how the new era feels — but they will stay if the contestants create compelling stories.

What Viewers Can Expect Next

Strictly Come Dancing is expected to return to the BBC in September, with more celebrity announcements likely before the series begins.

As the confirmed list expands, attention will turn to the pairings. The identity of each professional partner can dramatically shape a contestant’s prospects. A strong celebrity-professional partnership can turn a hesitant beginner into a fan favourite, while a weaker dynamic can hold back even a promising performer.

The early cast already suggests a season built around reinvention. The show itself is changing, several contestants are stepping into unfamiliar territory, and at least one confirmed star is returning after injury cut short her previous attempt.

For Strictly fans, that creates a compelling foundation. The Glitterball Trophy may still be months away, but the 2026 competition has already begun in spirit — through speculation, casting debates and the first signs of a new ballroom era.

Conclusion: A New Ballroom Story Begins

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 is shaping up as one of the programme’s most significant seasons in recent years. With Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman gone, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe preparing to front the revamped series, and changes taking place among the professional dancers, the show is entering a period of transition.

The confirmed contestants — Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer and Delta Goodrem — already give the line-up a strong mix of acting, reality TV and international music appeal. The rumoured names, including Jake Quickenden, Dame Sarah Storey, Jeff Brazier and Josie Gibson, suggest the BBC is looking for a cast that can combine entertainment value, competitiveness, warmth and public recognition.

As more announcements follow, the 2026 Strictly contestants will not only compete for the Glitterball Trophy. They will also help determine how successfully one of British television’s biggest entertainment shows moves into its next chapter.