As anticipation continues to build for Strictly Come Dancing‘s brand-new 2026 series, another celebrity contestant has finally been revealed. The seventh star set to dance in the BBC ballroom is Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain’s most-decorated Paralympian.
It was announced on earlier this month that Storey – who has won a total of 30 Paralympic medals across swimming and cycling – has retired from international competition with immediate effect (via BBC Sport).
“Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting,” she said in a statement (via BBC).
Related: Best streaming services
“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!”
The sporting star joins a number of other exciting celebrity faces for the next Strictly series, with the sixth announcement adding presenter and Big Brother host Will Best to the line-up, following the announcements of Cach Mercer of Love Island fame and hair stylist to the stars Chris Appleton.
Music icon and Eurovision favourite Delta Goodrem has also been confirmed to be taking part in Strictly‘s 2026 show, and has since spoken about how “excited” she is to take on the new challenge and “learn from incredible dancers, and the coaches, the judges”.
“I’m like, tell me everything and I’ll do my very best to give it a go,” Delta explained, while appearing on BBC Morning Live at the end of June.
Reality star and TV personality Dani Dyer – who has appeared in Love Island, Celebrity MasterChef, and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins – will be making her return to the dance floor. Dani had been part of the original Strictly line-up in 2025, but had to leave the series ahead of the live shows due to an injury.
EastEnders legend Lacey Turner was the very first celebrity contestant to be unveiled for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing, which will also welcome a trio of new hosts following Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly’s exits. It’s expected that there could be some new professional dancers too, in what could be a “different” Strictly to what fans have been used to.
“However, at its core the show is still the same,” seasoned pro Katya Jones told Digital Spy recently. “We’re taking people who can’t dance and showing them how to dance.
“Don’t worry everybody, you can still sit down with your family and enjoy the beautiful dancing.”
Strictly Come Dancing will return to the BBC later this year.
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Living Legends, celebrating the global phenomenon of BTS, is here! Buy this ultimate fan guide in newsagents or online.
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK’s biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world’s oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
