Dani Dyer, the winner of Love Island, is set to return to the ballroom on Strictly Come Dancing, reuniting with Ukrainian professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin. The pair were originally partnered last year before Dyer withdrew due to injury prior to the competition’s start. Kuzmin was the runner-up in the 2025 series alongside West End performer Amber Davies.
This year’s Strictly line-up, revealed during the recent launch show, includes the show’s third all-female pairing in its history. Bethany Antonia, known for her role in House of the Dragon, will team up with Nancy Xu. This follows previous same-sex pairings featuring Nicola Adams and Katya Jones in 2020, and Jayde Adams with Karen Hauer in 2022.
Actress Jaime Winstone, recognized for roles in films such as Made In Dagenham and Tomb Raider, has been paired with Chinese dancer Carlos Gu. Gu previously won the Glitterball trophy in 2025 with former England footballer Karen Carney. EastEnders star Lacey Turner, who gained fame as Stacey Slater on the BBC soap, will dance with Vito Coppola. Turner has also appeared in shows including True Love, Call The Midwife, and the military drama Our Girl.
Melanie Walters from Gavin and Stacey will partner with Slovenian dancer Aljaz Skorjanec. The 64-year-old actress is best known for playing Gwen West in the BBC comedy and has appeared in Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, and Doc Martin among others. Australian singer and actress Delta Goodrem, who represented her country at Eurovision earlier this year and gained recognition for her role in Neighbours, will be paired with Kai Widdrington.
Dame Sarah Storey, the most decorated British Paralympian with 19 gold medals in cycling and swimming, will dance alongside Australian Julian Caillon. Storey recently retired from competitive sport and has taken on Strictly as a new challenge. Big Brother co-host Will Best will be paired with professional dancer Dianne Buswell, marking her return to the show after having her first child with partner Joe Sugg.
Among the five new professionals joining the series is Maddie Ingoldsby, UK National Ballroom Champion, who will partner Love Island winner Cach Mercer. Celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton, known for working with high-profile clients such as Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, will dance with Amy Dowden, who has recently returned to the series after breast cancer treatment.
Former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, who earned 36 caps and played for clubs including Manchester City and Chelsea, has been paired with Alexis Warr. Skeleton Olympian Tabby Stoecker, gold medalist at the 2026 Winter Games, will dance with newcomer Mark Karmalita, a two-time National Latin Champion from Canada.
Social media influencer John Nellis, a leading football content creator with over 15 million combined followers on YouTube, will partner with Katya Jones. Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb is paired with Polish dancer Jowita Przystal, while TV personality and dog trainer Graeme Hall will team with Lauren Oakley. Hall, known as “the Dog Father,” hosts a Channel 5 programme focused on canine behaviour.
The launch show featured a group dance from the professional dancers, judges, and new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe. Contestants met their partners live on the dance floor, replacing the prerecorded introductions from previous years.