Strictly Come Dancing has revealed another celebrity heading for the ballroom, with actress Jaime Winstone officially joining the 2026 line-up.
The actress and daughter of Ray Winstone will swap the screen for the dance floor when the BBC favourite returns this September.
Jaime, 41, admitted she is feeling “nervous” ahead of the competition, but says she cannot wait to get started.
The EastEnders actress has now been confirmed as the eighth celebrity taking part in this year’s series.
Here’s everyone announced for the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line up so far.
Jaime Winstone confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line-up
Jaime shared the exciting news in a video posted on Strictly Come Dancing’s Instagram account.
Relaxing at home in a black vest top and PJ bottoms, Jaime said: “I’ve had a little secret and I cannot wait to stop lying. This September, I’m going to be joining Strictly.”
Showing off her excitement, she waved at the camera and joked: “There’s my jazz hands!”
She continued: “I am so excited, I am nervous, I’m slightly overwhelmed. I’m no stranger to a dance floor but I am definitely entering a new world with the ballroom.
“I am just so excited and so relieved to stop lying and keeping this big sparkling secret. I just can’t wait to get started so come and see me in the ballroom!”
Jaime is best known for playing Barbara Windsor in a drama based on the late actress’ life. She also recently portrayed a young Peggy Mitchell, originally played by Barbara, in EastEnders flashback scenes.
Just days before the official announcement, TV insiders claimed Jaime was being lined up for the series.
Reports suggested bosses were keen on the prospect of her father Ray Winstone joining Danny Dyer in the audience. Danny’s daughter Dani is also among this year’s contestants.
Dame Sarah Storey joins Strictly 2026
Dame Sarah Storey will also be taking to the ballroom when Strictly Come Dancing returns this autumn, joining Jaime and the growing list of celebrity contestants hoping to impress the judges.
Sarah, 47, is one of the most successful Paralympians in history, winning 30 medals across cycling and swimming, including 19 golds.
Having brought her cycling career to an end, she is now preparing for a very different test.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Sarah said: “Oh my gosh, it’s just over a week since I called time on my cycling career. But I’m back training already and this time, I can’t quite believe it. I’m training for Strictly.
“Yes, it’s true. I’m going to be part of the cast for the 2026 series and I’m so excited to learn new steps, find out if I can dance and get involved.”
Sarah also asked fans to guess which professional dancer she will be paired with.
In 2024, Sarah was forced to quit Dancing On Ice on ITV after suffering an injury. Let’s hope her Strictly journey is more plain sailing!
Will Best joins Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line-up
TV presenter Will Best was also recently confirmed for this year’s series.
The Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother host, who presents alongside AJ Odudu, announced his place on Instagram after the BBC released his official cast photo.
Will, who also hosts the Hits Radio Breakfast Show, said on Strictly’s Instagram account: “‘Oh hey, guys, I’m Will Best. This is surreal. I’m unbelievably excited and more than a little terrified to be able to say I’m doing Strictly this year!
“I can’t believe it. I’m so nervous already but it’s going to be so fun. I love the show and can’t wait to find out if I can dance.
“I’ve got no idea, but we can all find out together. It’s all in the hips, isn’t it?”
Will rounded off the announcement with an impromptu dance in his kitchen, before joking that he clearly has plenty of practice ahead.
With Sarah Storey now joining the line up just days after ending her cycling career, anticipation is continuing to build ahead of the new series as more celebrity names are revealed.
Cach Mercer joins Strictly 2026 line-up
Cach Mercer, 25, was the fifth confirmed Strictly contestant. Cach rose to fame on last year’s series of Love Island after winning the show with Toni Lates.
With almost million likes on TikTok, Cach has a huge legion of social media followers. On social media, he posts his Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance moves. He also works as a model and DJ.
He has gushed over Strictly, revealing he watched the BBC show growing up.
Cach has 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!”
One fan gushed: “Winner already.”
Another wrote: “Winner right there.”
However, someone else wrote: “Another one I don’t know.”
Another added: “Can we get some proper celebrities? Never heard of him.”
Chris Appleton joins Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line-up
Meanwhile, hair icon Chris Appleton will be doing Strictly this year.
Chris has done hairstyling for big Hollywood names including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez.
In a statement, he gushed: “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 dance floor is a whole different story – and I can’t wait to get started.”
Fans can’t wait to see Chris hit the dancefloor, with one person gushing on Instagram: “This is going to be epic!!!”
Another wrote: “This line-up keeps getting stronger and stronger.”
A third added: “OH THIS IS ICONIC.”
Delta Goodrem confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Delta, 41, first found fame playing Nina Tucker in Neighbours. Her character was a shy teenager who dreamed of becoming a singer.
She later enjoyed major success in music, topping the charts several times before becoming a coach on The Voice Australia.
More recently, Australian viewers watched Delta represent her country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. She achieved the highest score Australia has received since joining the competition.
Now, she is preparing for a very different challenge as she heads to the Strictly ballroom.
She 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!”
Dani Dyer joins Strictly 2026 line-up
Dani Dyer became the second celebrity confirmed for the new series.
The former Love Island star, 29, originally joined the Strictly 2025 line up. However, an injury forced her to withdraw before the competition got underway.
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!”
Fans quickly celebrated the announcement on social media.
One wrote on Instagram: “Buzzing she’s back for another try!!!”
Another commented: “Happy she gets another chance!!”
A third added: “Good! Really happy to see Dani get another go.”
Lacey Turner heading into Strictly
Lacey Turner became the first celebrity announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026.
The EastEnders favourite shared her excitement after the news was revealed.
She 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!”
Fans also reacted enthusiastically to Lacey’s casting. Many pointed out how early the celebrity announcements have arrived this year.
One fan wrote: “Oh my god amazing!!!”
Another said: “Wait celeb reveals announced early!?!? But also woooo Lacey gonna be amazing.”
A third added: “Omg it’s so early how exciting!!”
What can we expect from Strictly 2026?
Strictly Come Dancing is heading into a new era this year with several major changes.
Last year marked the final series for long serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
This autumn, Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe will take over hosting duties. Earlier this month, the BBC officially announced them as the show’s new presenting team.
Emma said: “It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Strictly. I’ve cheered and danced along from my sofa for years. So to be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can’t quite comprehend.
I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year.
“It’s impossible to fill the shoes that Tess and Claudia have left behind. Two wonderful, iconic women who have been the beating heart of Strictly for so long. I can only hope that we are able to help to steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter.
“I can’t wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!”
‘I feel deeply honoured’
Meanwhile, JoJo said: “To be returning to Strictly Come Dancing in this new role is beyond anything I ever imagined. This show has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness, and I feel deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward. To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special. I’m ready, sequins, nerves, and all…please bear with me. Love Jojo.”
Josh added: “Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point, so I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television.
“I adore Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them. I’ll dust off the penguin costume.”
With three celebrity names already confirmed and a brand new presenting team in place, excitement for Strictly 2026 is building fast ahead of its September return.
What do you think of this story? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page.