First Strictly Come Dancing 2026 contestant confirmed as EastEnders star Lacey Turner
EastEnders icon Lacey Turner has become the first celebrity to be announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
EastEnders actress Lacey Turner has been announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026.
The popular star, who plays Stacey Slater on the BBC soap, was announced today as the first celebrity joining the show, set to start this autumn. The BBC dance programme has had a huge shake-up ahead of the new series, as five professional dancers – Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, and Luba Mushtuk – exited the show, along with brand new show hosts.
Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe are set to be the new hosts of the main show, following the departure of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman last year.
Speaking about signing up for the show, Lacey, 38, said: "I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! 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 announcement was made on Strictly's Instagram page, with a post revealing an image of Lacey hidden behind the Strictly logo.
The caption said: “Here we go, first celebrity of 2026… it’s Lacey Turner. We can’t wait to see you on the dancefloor.”
Her EastEnders co-star Louise Lytton said: "Winner winner CHICKEN AND MASH DINNER" and Strictly pro Dianne Buswell wrote: "Christmas has come early! Welcome Lacey."
Strictly's head judge Shirley Ballas commented: "Welcome" with a series of love hearts while Jacqueline Jossa joked: "Shut up."
Before Lacey's stint on the show was confirmed, a source told The Sun: “Strictly bosses are delighted to snap Lacey up for the series, especially as she has such a huge fan base from her time on the soap.
“She’s down to earth and viewers will be excited to get to know her personality away from Albert Square.
“She has loved having some quality time off screen to focus on parenting, but feels like now is the perfect time to learn to dance and try something different before she reprises her role in EastEnders.”
Back in 2017, Lacey revealed she had turned down an offer from the show, but admitted she'd have liked to learn a new skill.
She said at the time: “I have been asked to go on Strictly but I’m rubbish at dancing and I don’t really have the guts. I think it’s a great show to do, though, as you learn a new skill.”