Overview
- Actress Jaime Winstone was announced as the eighth celebrity contestant on Thursday, joining a partially revealed cast that includes Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best and Dame Sarah Storey.
- Winstone has a long screen resume that includes Made in Dagenham, Tomb Raider and the BBC biopic Babs, and she said joining Strictly is “a whole new world” and that she is excited to take on the challenge.
- The 2026 series will feature new main hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe while the four judges — Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas — will return.
- Several established professional dancers including Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Márquez have left the pro lineup, leaving the show to add new professionals and reassign partners.
- Further celebrity and pro announcements are expected through the summer as production finalises pairings ahead of the BBC One and iPlayer launch in September, a change that could alter the show’s on‑screen tone and rehearsal dynamics.