The BBC has announced that Strictly Come Dancing, a hit that draws large audiences in Canada and the United States, will return in September with a full roster of celebrities.
Canadian viewers often stream the series on BBC iPlayer or through local broadcasters, while the format inspired the American hit Dancing with the Stars. The show's popularity north of the border means many Canadians and Americans will be watching the new celebrities compete this September.
Strictly Come Dancing lineup
Lacey Turner was the first star announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026. The 38‑year‑old, best known for her long‑running role as Stacey Slater on the BBC soap, said: "I am so excited to be making my way to the dancefloor 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." She added in a video message: "I am so excited and so terrified at the same time, but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plucked up the courage and made my way onto that dancefloor." The Edgware‑born actress is also known for appearing on the BBC One drama True Love and Call The Midwife, and she starred as Molly Dawes in the military drama Our Girl.
Dani Dyer is getting a second chance in the ballroom. The former Love Island star was given a second chance after she had to withdraw from last year's competition because of an injury before the series began. The 29‑year‑old is best known for appearing on and winning the ITV reality dating show Love Island in 2018, for winning this year's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and co‑starring alongside her father, Rivals actor Danny Dyer, on their series The Dyers' Caravan Park. She has also featured on Celebrity MasterChef, Celebrity Gogglebox and EastEnders. She said: "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. I'm just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it."
Delta Goodrem rose to fame on Australian soap Neighbours. After representing her home country of Australia at Eurovision, the 41‑year‑old singer and actress said: "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. I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can't wait to get started." She rose to fame in Neighbours as shy teenager Nina Tucker from 2002 to 2003 and has also been a coach on The Voice Australia, achieving five Australian number‑one albums.
Chris Appleton is a celebrity hair stylist best known for working with stars including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez. He said of signing up to Strictly: "I'm thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. 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 dancefloor is a whole different story, and I can't wait to get started." Appleton's other celebrity clients include Sofia Vergara, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.
Cach Mercer won Love Island with Toni Laites last year. After winning Love Island, the reality star said: "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!" Mercer and Laites have since split.
Will Best is also part of the line‑up. The Big Brother co‑host said joining Strictly was "an absolute dream". The TV and radio presenter, 41, is best known for fronting the ITV reality series alongside AJ Odudu as well as hosting the Hits Radio Breakfast Show. "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!" he said.
Dame Sarah Storey recently announced her retirement from sport and has also signed up for Strictly. The cyclist and swimmer, 48, has 19 Paralympic gold medals, making her the most successful British Paralympian of all time. 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."
Jaime Winstone has said she is 'no stranger to a dancefloor'. The actress, 41, added: "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!" Winstone is known for appearing in films including Made In Dagenham, Bullet Boy and Tomb Raider, and TV shows such as Dead Set, Poirot and the BBC TV movie Babs.
Bethany Antonia is best known for appearing in House of the Dragon. The 28‑year‑old said she was "so excited" to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 cast. She added: "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! The show has been such a big part of my life."
Shaun Wright‑Phillips is a former England footballer turned pundit who has also signed up for Strictly. The 44‑year‑old said: "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!" Wright‑Phillips, the son of Ian Wright, also played for Manchester City, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers and the USA's New York Red Bulls and Phoenix Rising FC.
Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hall is a TV presenter and dog trainer who said he "can't wait to get started" when announced as part of the Strictly line‑up. The 59‑year‑old is famed for hosting Channel 5's Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly and appears regularly on ITV's This Morning and BBC Radio.
Lawrence Robb from Emmerdale said joining Strictly was a 'dream come true'. The Scottish actor plays Mackenzie "Mack" Boyd on the ITV soap and previously appeared in the Sky series I Hate Suzie and West End's Legally Blonde: The Musical.
Tabby Stoecker is a skeleton racer who won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. She said: "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!"
John Nellis is a social media star and one of the UK and Ireland's biggest football content creators, with a combined audience of more than 15 million followers on YouTube. He said: "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."
Melanie Walters was the final star announced in the line‑up. The Gavin & Stacey actress, 64, is best known for playing Gwen West in the BBC comedy and has also appeared on Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Doc Martin and Death Valley. She 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."
When it airs
Strictly Come Dancing will return to screens on BBC One and iPlayer in September.