Strictly Come Dancing fever is properly underway forward of the 2026 collection, with a number of members of the solid already being revealed.
This 12 months’s batch of rivals will little doubt be hoping to duplicate the success of Lioness Karen Carney {and professional} accomplice Carlos Gu, who emerged as final 12 months’s winners.
And the newcomers shall be becoming a member of Strictly at an vital time, with plenty of monumental adjustments happening on the BBC’s flagship dancing present.
This, in fact, contains the departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman – changed by three new hosts (rely ’em!) in broadcaster Emma Willis, comic Josh Widdicombe, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
The professional dancer line-up has additionally undergone some sweeping adjustments too, with fan favourites Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Márquez having departed, whereas Neil Jones and Nancy Xu shall be ‘benched’ with out a accomplice.
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As bosses look to usher Strictly into a brand new period – hopefully scandal-free any longer – let’s check out who has been confirmed and who’s rumoured for the 2026 line-up.
Who’s confirmed within the Strictly Come Dancing solid 2026?
Cach Mercer
Rolling in at quantity 5 is influencer Cach Mercer, who’s already in good standing after successful actuality present Love Island together with his accomplice Toni Laites in 2025.
Off the again of his Casa Amor victory, he’s buying and selling sunny days in Mallorca for the high-energy Strictly dance ground.
Though he might properly really feel proper at residence, given his social media fame comes from posts displaying off his Afrobeat, hip-hop and road dance strikes.
‘I’ve grown up watching the present with my household and am so excited to now be a part of the solid. Dancing is a big ardour of mine and I can’t wait to study Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the primary time!’ he stated in an announcement.
Time will inform if his strikes, which have gained over 1.3 million TikTok followers and counting, shall be sufficient for most people.
Chris Appleton
Born in Leicester, the 43-year-old artistic has made all of it the way in which to Hollywood as a hairstylist to the celebrities, together with bestie Kim Kardashian and different A-listers like J-Lo, Sofia Vergara, and Ariana Grande.
In 2023, Kim Ok even officiated his marriage ceremony to screenstar Lukas Gage (the couple later divorced), and his profession continues to ascend even greater.
Now, he’s cha-chaing his means onto the dance ground to indicate simply what he’s soaked up from all of the performers he’s frolicked with through the years.
He stated in an announcement: ‘I’ve at all times believed that one of the best issues occur once you take an opportunity and take a look at one thing new.
‘I could know my means round a salon ground, however the dance ground is an entire completely different story – and I can’t wait to get began.’
Delta Goodrem
The Australian singer-songwriter, Delta Goodrem, was simply 15 years previous when she signed her first document deal and her careers gone from power to power ever since.
The 41-year-old has launched seven albums, offered tens of millions of copies, and even represented Australia at Eurovision 2026 – mainly, she is aware of the stage just like the again of her hand.
Nonetheless, there’s a distinction between singing and dancing, however that’s a problem Deta is eager to tackle.
‘I’ve been extremely honoured to carry out on many various levels all through my profession – from TV, theatre, movie units, to touring my very own reveals world wide, there’s, nonetheless, one stage I’ve by no means stepped onto, and that’s the ballroom ground,’ she stated in an announcement.
‘I’m completely thrilled to be becoming a member of Strictly and might’t wait to get began!’
With an angle like that, is it any surprise Delta has reportedly been on the Strictly boss’s wishlist for years?
Lacey Turner
She’s been enjoying EastEnders’ favorite Stacey Slater for over 20 years, however now Lacey Turner is set to seem on the BBC in a really completely different means.
Because the 38-year-old cleaning soap actress takes a break from Albert Sq. to pursue new ventures, it appears her journey is taking her from the cobblestones straight onto the dance ground.
Within the announcement, Lacey wrote: ‘I’m so excited to be making my method to the dance ground this 12 months to be part of Strictly Come Dancing.
‘I’m an enormous fan and might’t fairly imagine I shall be collaborating and never watching at residence this 12 months! I look ahead to assembly everybody and studying a brand new ability!’
It wouldn’t be the primary time an EastEnders icon has appeared on Strictly – who might overlook Jake Wooden (aka Max Branning) together with his Mambo No. 5 salsa?
Dani Dyer
Poor Dani Dyer had one of many briefest Strictly stints ever final 12 months, as she was compelled to withdraw shortly after the launch present as a result of an ankle fracture. However now – she’s again!
Dani was initially partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, who went on to achieve the ultimate with Amber Davies when she crammed in on the final minute.
The truth TV star beforehand stated on The Jonathan Ross Present that she would ‘love’ to do Strictly once more, saying: ”In the event that they rang me, I’d reply the cellphone. I used to be devastated. It was hell for me once I harm my foot; I used to be so unhappy.’
Her dream has now change into a actuality, as she’s change into the second celeb to be confirmed for the 2026 line-up.
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‘I’m so excited to be again within the ballroom this September! I simply can’t wait to get my dancing footwear again on and hopefully this time round I can really make it to week one!’ the 29-year-old stated in an announcement.
‘I’m simply over the moon and can’t wait to seek out out who else is doing it!’
Who’s rumoured for the Strictly Come Dancing solid 2026?
Dame Sarah Storey
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Paralympic athlete Dame Sarah Storey, 37, is alleged to have signed as much as this collection of Strictly, with an official announcement rumoured to be on the playing cards.
A supply instructed The Solar: ‘Sarah is delighted to be collaborating in Strictly and is absolutely excited to be studying a brand new ability.
‘She is clearly very aggressive and hopes to present the competition her all, whereas letting viewers get to know her character.
‘She’s additionally eager to embrace the glamour of the present and is wanting ahead to getting dressed up.’
Bike owner Dame Sarah is Britain’s most profitable Paralympian, having gained 30 medals – together with 19 Gold – over the course of her profession.
She had been as a result of compete in final 12 months’s Dancing on Ice, however was compelled to withdraw after sustaining an damage whereas coaching.
Jeff Brazier
The Brazier title shall be acquainted to Strictly followers – in 2023, EastEnders actor and mannequin Bobby Brazier danced his method to runner-up with skilled accomplice Dianne Buswell.
In line with The Solar, Bobby’s father, 47-year-old Jeff, is in talks to compete within the upcoming collection of the present.
A supply instructed the publication that he had change into ‘tempted’ after being approached by the BBC.
The insider added: ‘Beforehand he stated he wouldn’t do it as a result of he didn’t need to step on Bobby’s toes. However three years have handed now and it’s a large alternative for Jeff.
‘He has mentioned it with Bobby who thinks it will be superb if his dad was to present it a go. Jeff has but to signal his contract however everybody round him is urging him to do it.’
Josie Gibson
She rose to fame as a Huge Brother winner and has since cemented herself as a British TV favorite.
Josie Gibson is now typically seen presenting on This Morning, and, in 2023, she positioned fourth in I’m A Movie star… Get Me Out Of Right here!
If stories are to be believed, although, she may very well be trying to not less than earn herself a spot on the rostrum by signing as much as Strictly and wowing on the dance ground.
‘Josie has been on the BBC’s radar for some time, and so they’ve not given up their pursuit,’ stated a supply.
They added to The Solar that the ball has already began: ‘They’re hoping this 12 months is the 12 months, and talks are progressing properly.’
‘Bosses are satisfied her down-to-earth appeal would be the enhance this 12 months’s new-look present wants,’ the insider additionally claimed. ‘Heat and fascinating, she’s simply what they require proper now and shall be a sure-fire hit with followers.’
Josie, 41, actually wouldn’t be the primary ITV daytime star to sort out Strictly, with earlier collection signing up the likes of Alison Hammond, Ruth Langsford, Charlotte Hawkins, and, who might overlook, Ed Balls.
Jake Quickenden
Rising to fame on the X-Consider 2012, Jake Quickenden has his roots in actuality TV.
Subsequently showing on I’m A Celeb and Dancing On Ice (which he gained, again in 2018), Jake at present stars within the CBBC collection Jamie Johnson FC.
Of these Strictly rumours, a supply instructed The Solar: that he’d ‘caught the attention of the Strictly bookers.’
They added: ‘He’s enjoyable, hunky and referred to as an all-round good man. He’s an actor and singer, so is a pure performer. And he gained Dancing On Ice, so has clearly obtained the strikes. And now he’s within the BBC stables, he’s a part of the gang.’
The 37-year-old star stated that he’d be eager to participate, revealing that he’d ‘like to do it’ ought to the chance come up.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC in September.
A model of this text was first revealed on Might 31, 2026.
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