As the countdown to Strictly Come Dancing season begins once again, speculation about who might take part is reaching fever pitch. Last season saw Lioness Karen Carney and professional partner Carlos Gu lift the glitterball trophy, and a new wave of celebrities will be eager to follow in their footsteps. This year's series arrives at a pivotal moment for the BBC flagship show, with major changes already underway.
New Hosts and Pro Dancers
Following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the show will feature new hosts: broadcaster Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe have been confirmed to take charge. The professional dancer lineup has also seen significant upheaval, with Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Gorka Márquez departing, while Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will be benched without partners.
Lacey Turner
EastEnders star Lacey Turner, who has played Stacey Slater for over two decades, is reportedly set to swap Albert Square for the Strictly dance floor. According to a source speaking to The Sun, the 38-year-old actress is looking to use her break from the soap to try something new. 'Strictly bosses are delighted to snap Lacey up for the series, especially as she has such a huge fan base from her time on the soap,' the insider said. 'She's down to earth, and viewers will be excited to get to know her personality away from Albert Square.' The source added that Turner feels now is the perfect time to learn to dance before reprising her role.
Josie Gibson
Big Brother winner and This Morning presenter Josie Gibson is another name in the mix. The 41-year-old, who placed fourth on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2023, is reportedly in talks with BBC bosses. 'Josie has been on the BBC's radar for a while, and they've not given up their pursuit,' a source told The Sun. 'They're hoping this year is the year, and talks are progressing well.' The insider claimed that Gibson's down-to-earth charm would be a boost for the new-look show.
Delta Goodrem
Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem has reportedly been on Strictly's wish list for years, and a source told the Daily Mail that her signing is 'all but a done deal'. The 41-year-old, who sold nine million records and represented Australia at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, finishing fourth, would bring star power to the series. She is also known for her acting role as Nina Tucker in Neighbours.
Dani Dyer
Reality star Dani Dyer, who was forced to withdraw from last year's series due to an ankle fracture shortly after the launch show, has expressed interest in returning. Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, she said, 'If they rang me, I'd answer the phone. I was devastated.' Her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin went on to reach the final with Amber Davies. A BBC spokesperson previously told Metro that plans for the new series will be confirmed 'in due course'.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC in September. With a new hosting team, a revamped pro dancer roster, and a rumoured lineup full of familiar faces, the 2026 season promises to be one of the most anticipated yet.
