Lacey Turner confirmed as first Strictly contestant

Actress Lacey Turner will compete on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC has confirmed.

The EastEnders star is the first celebrity contestant to be announced for the 2026 series, which begins in the autumn.

Turner said she was "so excited to being making my way to the dance floor", adding that she was a "huge fan" of the show.

The new series of Strictly will be presented by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, after the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

The announcement of the first celebrity has come significantly earlier than usual - the BBC usually confirms the line-up in August.

The corporation did not explain why it had started announcing the celebrities early, but said further contestants would be revealed "throughout the summer" before the series launches in September.

Shirley Ballas 'wowed' by 2026 line-up

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain on Wednesday before Turner was announced, head judge Shirley Ballas teased this year's line-up, remarking: "There are going to be some people on there that will make you go 'wow'."

Asked about the new presenting trio, Ballas said she was "very excited to see what they bring" to the show.

"I know they took lots of chemistry tests, as did everybody, and those chemistry tests have brought those three people together, and I believe it's absolutely unbelievable," she said.

Ballas described the number of new elements on this year's show as "quite extraordinary", but added that it will still feel familiar to viewers.

"There are new dancers, new presenters, I heard a lot that there was supposed to be a new set, but don't believe everything you read," she said.

"I don't think they'll change the show too much, maybe tweaks here and there, but no major changes."

Turner is best known for her role as Stacey Slater on EastEnders, which she joined in 2004.

She has won a British Soap Award and National Television Award for her role on the show, and has also starred in TV dramas including the BBC's Our Girl.

In a video posted on Instagram, Turner said she was "so excited and so terrified at the same time" to be taking part in the show.

"But I've had so many friends do Strictly, and I thought it was about time that I pluck up the courage and made my way on to the dance floor."

In a statement released by the BBC, she added: "I 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!"

Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke will all return to the series as judges.

But other regulars including Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Katya Jones, Vito Coppola and Aljaz Skorjanec will be back on the dance floor.