Dame Sarah Storey, one of Great Britain's most decorated Paralympians, has been announced as the seventh celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2026. The news comes just a week after the 48-year-old announced her retirement from elite sport.
Storey, who was born with an underdeveloped left hand, began her career as a swimmer, competing in four Paralympic Games. She later transitioned to cycling, further adding to her impressive medal haul. Her participation in the popular BBC dancing competition begins a new chapter following her extensive athletic career.
Strictly Come Dancing made the announcement on Friday via its official social media channels. Storey expressed her excitement for the new challenge, stating, "Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting. I have always loved watching Strictly and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world, is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!"
This is not Storey's first foray into televised dance competitions. She was previously slated to appear on Dancing On Ice but had to withdraw a year prior due to an injury sustained during a fall.
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Storey joins a growing list of celebrities confirmed for the 2026 season, including Will Best, Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, and Cach Mercer. The announcement of Mercer, a Love Island star with a background in professional dancing, has already generated some backlash from viewers who have questioned the fairness of including contestants with prior dance experience. This echoes similar controversies in past seasons involving participants with dance backgrounds.
Dani Dyer is also set to return to the Strictly ballroom. She had to withdraw from the 2025 series after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals but was assured by BBC bosses that the door would remain open for her to compete in a future season. Lacey Turner, known for her role in a popular British soap opera, is also participating, citing her excitement and slight nervousness about learning a new skill.
The full lineup for the 2026 Strictly Come Dancing season will be revealed throughout the summer, with the show set to premiere in September.