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Bethany Antonia Joins Strictly Come Dancing 2026

She is competing as a tribute to her late grandmother, drawing on West End musical training alongside an HBO TV profile.

Overview

  • Antonia was announced as one of the 15 celebrity contestants for Strictly Come Dancing and was the ninth confirmed name for the 2026 series.
  • She told reporters she accepted the offer partly as a gift from her late grandmother and said she is 'so excited' to take on the show.
  • Antonia is best known for playing Lady Baela Targaryen on HBO’s House of the Dragon and has TV credits including Get Even, Stay Close and Nolly.
  • Her recent stage work includes playing Eurydice in Hadestown on the West End and she trained in musical theatre at Birmingham Ormiston Academy.
  • Strictly’s national platform often raises contestants’ public profiles, so Antonia’s appearance could broaden her mainstream recognition beyond scripted TV and theatre.