Tabby Stoecker, the Olympic skeleton gold medallist, has been announced as the 13th celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2026, the BBC ballroom competition confirmed this week.
From sled to sequins
The winter sport star, who made headlines at the 2026 Winter Olympics as part of Team GB’s gold-medal success, joins a roster that already includes Lacey Turner, Delta Goodrem and radio presenter Will Best. The new series is due to begin on Saturday 19 September.
Stoecker said she was delighted to be taking part, calling the opportunity a childhood dream. In her own words:
"I am over the moon to be joining the cast of Strictly 2026. I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!"
Line-up and format
Producers have confirmed there are 20 professional dancers on the show this year and reports indicate there will be roughly 15 pairings, suggesting a couple more celebrity signings are still to come ahead of the launch. Popular pros expected to return include Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden, Nikita Kuzmin and Aljaž Škorjanec.
The series also arrives with a very different presenting line-up following the departures of long-standing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The new team will comprise Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe. It remains unclear whether Radebe will combine presenting with a dancing role.
- Confirmed celebrities so far: Tabby Stoecker, Lacey Turner, Delta Goodrem, Will Best
- Professionals signed up: 20
- Expected pairings: c. 15 (two celebrity slots reportedly remaining)
- Show start date: 19 September 2026
What this means for the series
Stoecker’s casting underlines how Strictly continues to draw a wide range of public figures, from actors and musicians to athletes, seeking to broaden its appeal beyond familiar entertainment faces. Athletes have historically performed well on the show because of their body awareness and training discipline, which often translates to rapid progress on the dancefloor — although Strictly’s judges are equally keen to test artistry as much as athleticism.
For viewers, the fresh presenting line-up will be one of the primary talking points this autumn. The replacement of two long-established hosts with a trio including a professional dancer represents a notable shift in the programme’s on-screen dynamics and may influence how rehearsals and behind-the-scenes moments are shared with the audience.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Series start | Saturday 19 September 2026 |
| Confirmed celebrities | Tabby Stoecker, Lacey Turner, Delta Goodrem, Will Best (plus others previously announced) |
| Professional dancers | 20 |
| Expected pairings | Approximately 15 |
With only weeks to go until the first live show, the remaining celebrity names and the pairings will be closely watched by fans and bookmakers alike. Strictly’s blend of competition, spectacle and celebrity transformation continues to make it appointment-to-viewing television, and Stoecker’s presence will add another curiosity factor as audiences tune in to see how an Olympic champion adapts to ballroom technique.
Broadcasters and producers will be keen to see whether the programme sustains its ratings momentum under the new hosting arrangement and whether the contemporary casting choices continue to refresh the format without losing the core audience that has supported the show for many years.
Further announcements are expected as the launch date draws near.
