Lawrence Robb, known for his role as Mackenzie "Mack" Boyd in ITV's Emmerdale, has been revealed as the twelfth celebrity contestant for the upcoming season of "Strictly Come Dancing." The announcement was made Thursday via the show's official social media channels. Robb hails from Glasgow and has been a central figure in numerous Emmerdale storylines since joining the cast six years ago. His previous acting credits include roles in "I Hate Suzie" and "Legally Blonde The Musical."
Robb expressed his excitement, stating, "I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time! It's a dream come true, and I can't wait to bring my all to ballroom." He joins a lineup that includes Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Shaun Wright-Phillips, and Graeme Hall.
Despite the new addition, social media has seen a surge of fan disappointment regarding the perceived lack of "household names" in the 2026 lineup. Many users have voiced their opinions online, with comments suggesting a weaker-than-usual selection of celebrities. One user wrote, "I generally know one person out of everyone that's been announced. Where are the celebrities?" Another expressed, "This male line up so far is kinda disappointing ngl." Some fans have even considered skipping the season due to unfamiliarity with the contestants and changes in the show's presenting and professional dance teams.
Earlier this week, presenter and author Graeme Hall was announced as the eleventh celebrity participant. EastEnders star Lacey Turner was the first to be confirmed, citing an extended break from her role as Stacey Slater as an opportunity to train for the competition. Turner admitted to being both "terrified" and excited to learn a new skill. Dani Dyer is also set to return to the ballroom after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals for the 2025 season, with BBC bosses having previously stated they hoped to welcome her back.
Preparations for the new season are underway, with professional dancers sharing glimpses of their initial rehearsals. Among the returning professionals are Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, and Jowita Przystal. Carlos Gu, who won the previous season with footballer Karen Carney, is also back, alongside other familiar faces such as Katya Jones, Kai Widdrington, and Neil Jones. The professional dancer lineup has also seen the addition of five new members, following the departure of several established pros earlier in the year. The new professional dancers include Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Mark Karmalita, and Maddie Ingoldsby.