Strictly 2026: Celebrities With Dance Experience
The upcoming Strictly Come Dancing 2026 season features a mix of celebrities with varied dance backgrounds. From actors with musical theatre roots to athletes who trained in gymnastics, the show’s cast showcases how previous experience can influence performance. Some participants, like Delta Goodre…
By Felo News Desk · Published
Strictly Come Dancing is set to return for its 2026 series, and fans are already debating which celebrities will have a leg up thanks to prior dance training. The show has long mixed performers with different levels of experience, from seasoned actors to sports stars, and this season is no exception.
Actors and Musicals: A Natural Rhythm
Several cast members come from the stage, where movement is part of the job. Bethany Antonia, best known for her role in the Game of Thrones spin‑off House of the Dragon, grew up in the British Youth Music Theatre, performing in productions such as Hairspray and Peter Pan. She has recently appeared in the West End production of Hadestown as Eurydice. Antonia admits she is “an actor who moves, not a dancer who acts,” but her theatrical background gives her a sense of timing and expression that will serve her well on the dance floor.
Delta Goodrem, the Australian singer who has spent her career dancing in musical theatre and on the stage of Cats, also brings a love of movement. While she says she’s never had formal dance training, her experience performing in front of live audiences gives her a natural confidence that could translate into the ballroom.
Lawrence Robb, famed for his role in Emmerdale, trained in jazz, tap, ballet and modern dance at the Dance School of Scotland. Although he has never studied Latin or ballroom, his background in musical theatre and stage performance means he’s comfortable with choreography and stage presence.
Sports Stars and Gymnasts: A Different Kind of Discipline
Sports figures often bring a different set of skills. Tabby Stoecker, a skeleton racer who has won medals for Great Britain, was a British schools gymnastics champion before taking up skeleton at 19. Her gymnastics background offers a strong foundation in balance and body control, though she admits she has never danced before.
Shaun Wright‑Phillips, son of former footballer Ian Wright, has no formal dance training but is known for his athleticism on the football pitch. He jokes that his family will see a new side of him when he steps onto the Strictly stage sober and ready to dance.
Even dog trainer Graeme Hall, who once danced as a hobby before a stroke in 2019, has a surprising past in movement. He says his family would describe his moves as “surprising,” hinting that his natural rhythm may still be intact.
Reality TV, YouTube and Pop Stars: The Casual Dancers
Reality TV star Dani Dyer, who returned after withdrawing from last year’s series due to an ankle injury, claims she has rhythm and enthusiasm but little formal technique. Her experience in Love Island shows she’s comfortable in front of cameras, which may help her adapt to the Strictly set.
John Nellis, a YouTube personality, openly admits he can’t dance. He jokes about a “terrible Peter Crouch robot” as his signature move, suggesting he may rely on humor more than skill.
Will Best, a Big Brother presenter, has a background in dance‑related shows such as Got To Dance and Dance Dance Dance. He describes his style as “eccentric” and admits he has never performed a routine, but his experience in front of audiences may give him an edge.
What to Expect From the 2026 Cast
With such a varied group, the 2026 Strictly series promises a mix of seasoned performers and newcomers to the dance floor. While some celebrities may have a natural advantage, the show’s format levels the playing field, ensuring that hard work and coaching can bring any contestant to the finish line.
As the season approaches, viewers will be curious to see how prior dance experience translates into the ballroom. Will the actors’ stage presence carry them through, or will the athletes’ discipline give them an unexpected advantage? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the 2026 lineup is set to deliver plenty of surprises.
Key facts
- Actors with musical theatre roots bring natural rhythm and stage presence
- Gymnasts and athletes offer balance and discipline but may lack ballroom technique
- Some contestants have no formal dance training, relying on humor or confidence
- The mix of backgrounds ensures a diverse and unpredictable competition
Why it matters
Understanding each celebrity’s dance background helps fans predict potential strengths and challenges on the show, adding depth to the viewing experience and fueling pre‑season discussions.
Frequently asked questions
Will prior dance experience guarantee success on Strictly?
No, while experience can provide an advantage, the show’s training and coaching levels the field for all contestants.
How many celebrities have formal dance training?
Only a handful, such as Bethany Antonia, Lawrence Robb, and Cach Mercer, have professional dance backgrounds.
What is the biggest challenge for non‑dancers on the show?
Adapting to the strict choreography and mastering the technical aspects of ballroom and Latin dance.
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “All the Strictly 2026 stars with previous dance experience”
