The BBC has broken its reported ban on reality stars for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, with Love Island’s Cach Mercer among the first six contestants confirmed for the 2026 edition.
Mercer, who left the ITV villa last year and has yet to carve out a different showbiz niche, joins a line-up that includes EastEnders star Lacey Turner, former Love Island winner Dani Dyer and Australian singer Delta Goodrem. The broadcaster appears to have set aside its usual rule barring reality TV personalities from competing.
“BBC confirms first six Strictly 2026 contestants, breaking reported ban with Love Island's Cach Mercer.”
The six celebrities will dance under new presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, taking over the helm of the revamped series.
Turner, who has played Stacey Slater on EastEnders since 2004 and won multiple awards, was the first contestant announced. “I am so excited to be making my way to the dance floor this year,” she said in a statement. “I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home.”
Dani Dyer, whose father is EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, was originally set to take part last year but withdrew after an injury. Now given a second chance, she told fans: “I’m so excited to say that I’m going to be back in the ballroom this September. I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one.”
Delta Goodrem, the Australian Eurovision star and former Neighbours actor, said she was “thrilled” to join. “There is one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor,” she added. Goodrem has also served as a judge on The Voice Australia.
With more contestants yet to be revealed, the ballroom is set for a series that mixes soap royalty, pop royalty and a reality TV wildcard.