Actress Jaime Winstone is the eighth celebrity confirmed for the 2026 season of Strictly Come Dancing. She joins a diverse group of contestants, including returning star Dani Dyer and EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, for the competition starting this September.
Jaime Winstone's transition from Babs to the ballroom
Jaime Winstone, 41 , brings a significant acting pedigree to the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing 2026. The daughter of actor Ray Winstone, she has established herself through roles in films like Made in Dagenham and Wild Bill. Most recently, she earned critical praise for her portrayal of Barbara Windsor in the biopic Babs, a role that eventually led her to appear as Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders during the soap's 40th anniversary celebrations.
According to the report, Winstone expressed high enthusiasm for the challenge, stating she is ready to enter her "showgirl era" and get "super sparkly." While she claims to be no stranger to the dance floor, she admitted that the formal world of ballroom dancing is entirely new territory for her.
The Cach Mercer dance-background debate
The announcement of the 2026 lineup has not been without friction, specifically regarding the inclusion of Cach Mercer. Mercer, the 25-year-old winner of Love Island 2025, is a model and influencer who also operates as a professional dancer, teaching classes in Afrobeat, hip-hop, and street dance. This dual identity has sparked significant backlash from viewers on social media who believe his technical proficiency gives him an unfair advantage over other amateurs.
This controversy is part of a recurring tension within the Strictly Come Dancing community. As reported by the source,the frustration surrounding Cach Mercer echoes previous outcry seen when contestants like JB Gill and Tasha Ghouri joined the show. The core of the debate rests on whether the BBC should prioritize "proper celebrities" over influencers with existing professional dance training, which some fans argue undermines the spirit of the competition.
Dani Dyer's return after a 2025 ankle fracture
One of the most anticipated returns for the 2026 series is that of Dani Dyer. dyer was forced to withdraw from the 2025 competition after suffering a fractured ankle during the rehearsal phase. BBC executives had previously indicated that the door remained open for her return, and Dyer has since confirmed her excitement to finally make it to "week one" of the competition this September.
Joining her in the EastEnders orbit is Lacey Turner, who was the first celebrity announced for the 2026 season. Turner is currently taking an extended hiatus from her role as Stacey Slater to focus on her training for the BBC show. Despite her commitment, Turner admitted via Instagram that she is "terrified" to take part, highlighting the psychological pressure that often defines the early weeks of the competition.
Who fills the remaining slots in the 2026 cast?
While the BBC has revealed eight names—Jaime Winstone, Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, and Dame Sarah Storey—the full roster remains incomplete. It is still unknown how many more celebrities will be added to the 2026 lineup or who the remaining contestants will be.
Furthermore, the report does not specify the professional dance partners assigned to these celebrities. Given the backlash against Cach Mercer's existing skills, there is significant curiosity regarding whether the BBC will pair him with a partner who can challenge his technical limits or if the production will attempt to balance the competition's perceived fairness through specific pairing strategies.
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