EastEnders star Lacey Turner has been confirmed as the first celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2026, marking her long-anticipated debut on the BBC ballroom show.
The announcement was made via the show’s official social media channels, revealing that the 38-year-old actress will join the upcoming series when it returns later this year.
Turner, best known for playing Stacey Slater in EastEnders, is currently on an extended break from the soap and is expected to use the time to begin training for the demanding dance competition ahead of the new series.
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Reacting to the news, Turner said she was thrilled to finally take part in the programme after years of watching from home.
"I am so excited to be making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing," she said.
"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!"
The reveal was accompanied by a promotional post from the BBC show’s official Instagram account, which teased the first name of the series and confirmed Turner’s participation.
"Here we go, first celebrity of 2026… it’s Lacey Turner. We can’t wait to see you on the dancefloor," the post read.
Turner has previously expressed interest in joining the competition, although she admitted in 2017 that she had turned down an earlier invitation because she did not feel ready to take on the challenge at the time.
Her signing comes as Strictly Come Dancing prepares for a new era following major changes to its presenting line-up.
The BBC recently confirmed that Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe will take over hosting duties from long-time presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down last year.
The upcoming season is expected to launch in September, with Turner now the first celebrity confirmed for the new series as speculation continues over who else will join the lineup.
