Strictly fever is already building, and entertainment news Ireland fans have a new reason to mark September on the calendar. The first wave of celebrities heading into the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 ballroom has been revealed, mixing soap stars, reality favourites, music names and sporting royalty in a line-up that already promises sparkle, nerves and plenty of headline moments.
With the BBC dance juggernaut returning with a refreshed on-air feel and new presenters, early casting has become one of the biggest talking points in Irish entertainment news and wider TV chatter. Here is a closer look at the stars confirmed so far.
Strictly 2026 cast update in entertainment news Ireland
The confirmed names suggest producers are aiming for a broad, crowd-pleasing mix of personalities from television, music, sport and reality TV. That blend should give audiences strong storylines from the very first live show.
Lacey Turner leads the early roll call
Lacey Turner, best known to many viewers as EastEnders icon Stacey Slater, was the first celebrity announced. Her excitement was clear, with the actress saying she is a long-time fan and is thrilled to be swapping the sofa for the ballroom floor. For fans of TV news Ireland, her signing instantly adds acting pedigree and a built-in fan base.
Dani Dyer gets a second shot
Dani Dyer returns to the line-up after injury disrupted her previous attempt to take part. The former Love Island winner said she is excited to finally get her dancing shoes on and make it to week one this time. That comeback angle could make her one of the early emotional stories in celebrity news Ireland.
Delta Goodrem brings star power
Singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem adds international recognition to the cast. Having recently performed in Ireland, she is already a familiar name to local audiences following music news Ireland and concert coverage. Delta said she has performed on many stages worldwide, but never on a ballroom floor, making this a fresh challenge in a well-established career.
Chris Appleton steps out from behind the scenes
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, known for working with A-list global stars, now moves from glam squad expert to on-screen contestant. His quote struck the right tone: trying something new, even when it is far outside his comfort zone.
Reality, sport and screen names round out the list
Also confirmed are:
- Cach Mercer – the Love Island 2025 male champion, who says dancing is already a major passion.
- Will Best – the experienced presenter ready to trade live studio comfort for sequins and quicksteps.
- Dame Sarah Storey – Britain’s most decorated Paralympian, bringing determination and elite-level focus.
- Jaime Winstone – the actress promising to embrace her “showgirl era” in the ballroom.
Why this line-up is already trending
From a media perspective, this is exactly the kind of ensemble that drives entertainment news Ireland interest: recognizable names, comeback arcs, crossover appeal and a few genuine wild cards. It also ticks several boxes for viewers looking for what to watch Ireland updates as autumn schedules start to take shape.
What stands out most is the range:
- Soap and drama credibility
- Reality TV fan favourites
- Music industry presence
- Sporting excellence
- Presenter and celebrity culture crossover
That variety should help the show dominate trending entertainment Ireland conversations once partnerships, training clips and first dances are unveiled.
What happens next?
More celebrity reveals are expected before the full launch, so this is unlikely to be the final cast list. Still, the opening batch has done its job: it has set the tone, sparked speculation and given fans a reason to start predicting finalists early.
For now, the biggest takeaway in entertainment news Ireland is simple: Strictly 2026 is shaping up to be one of the show’s most varied and watchable seasons in years. If the remaining names match this early momentum, the race for the Glitterball could become essential viewing for fans of Irish TV news, reality formats and feel-good weekend television.
Image Courtesy: EVOKE
Credit/Courtesy for the Article: EVOKE
