Strictly Come Dancing may still be months away from returning to our screens, but speculation over this year's celebrity line-up is already in full swing. While names including Dani Dyer, Josie Gibson and Jake Quickenden have all been linked to the ballroom, BBC bosses are keeping their cards closer to their chest for now.
That hasn't stopped fans from sharing their dream castings online, however, with plenty of viewers already imagining which famous faces could bring fresh energy to the competition. The 2026 series is set to look very different behind the scenes too.
Several long-serving professional dancers have departed from the show, including Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk, while Karen Hauer has also stepped down after 14 years on the Strictly dancefloor.
There have also been considerable changes to the presenting line-up following Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly's exits from the programme, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe taking over hosting duties. With a new era beginning, here are six celebrities who could genuinely make this year's Strictly season one of its most memorable yet.
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Craig Doyle
Few names seem to crop up on Strictly wish lists quite as often as Craig Doyle. The This Morning presenter has the charisma, confidence and live TV experience that often translates well onto the dancefloor. He's also one of those celebrities who feels overdue for a Strictly stint after years of rumours.
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But there is one obstacle - Craig himself. The presenter has repeatedly admitted he's turned down the show in the past, citing concerns about the intense commitment and the close partnerships formed between celebrities and professional dancers.
"I have seen the stories that come out of it and it feels an uncomfortable space," he once told The Mirror in 2022. "I don’t think I'm prudish but standing on TV holding someone’s hand and rubbing each other’s back seems very intimate to me."
Craig has been married to former interior designer Doon since 2002 and added: "I am a bit uncomfortable with the closeness and it could be hard on your life partner, disappearing for weeks on end. (...) I've been asked to do Strictly a lot over the years and I’ve always said no." Never say never?
Gemma Collins
She's been rumoured to join the show for years but has yet to set foot in the ballroom. If Strictly wants a contestant guaranteed to dominate the dancefloor, Gemma Collins would be a hard celebrity to beat.
The former TOWIE star has built an entire career on being unapologetically herself and would bring a completely different energy to the ballroom. Watching her navigate the elegance and discipline expected of Strictly contestants could make for compelling (and furiously entertaining) TV. More importantly, Gemma knows exactly how to entertain an audience - and viewers can't get enough of her, from the small screen to social media.
Whether she'd emerge as a serious contender or early casualty, Gemma would almost certainly become one of the season's best talking points. However, much like Craig, Gemma has made it clear Strictly Come Dancing wasn't the right fit for her.
"I don’t fall over myself to do anything, never have and never will. If you live your life dreaming of getting onto Strictly you need to go out and get into nature," she once told The Sun. But can her fans convince her to backtrack?
Tommy Fury
While he already has a sizeable fan base thanks to Love Island, his boxing career and his high-profile personal life, Tommy Fury could be another strong name for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
Strictly has increasingly looked towards reality TV stars in recent years, from Tasha Ghouri to Pete Wicks, and Tommy would tick several boxes. He's athletic, competitive and familiar with performing under pressure.
His appearance would also likely attract younger viewers while providing the opportunity to see a very different side to his personality away from the boxing ring and his growing family with Molly Mae Hague.
Alexander Dragonetti
The Traitors has become one of British TV's biggest success stories, and Alexander Dragonetti has emerged as one of its standout personalities after competing in the show during its third season.
Popular, articulate and instantly likeable, he'd fit comfortably into the kind of contestant role that often thrives on Strictly Come Dancing and his diplomatic background could also prove useful when it comes to discipline. To top it all off, Alexander is a single man, which would spare him from the infamous Strictly curse.
Back in 2025, Alexander was tipped to join the Strictly line-up but his participation was never made official. And with The Traitors producing new household names every season, it feels only a matter of time before another familiar face from the ruthless and treacherous game finds their way on to the dancefloor.
Dame Kelly Holmes
Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes could be the perfect addition to this year's Strictly season. The British athlete and Loose Women panellist has already demonstrated incredible determination throughout her sporting career and would likely approach the BBC One competition with the same commitment.
Many elite athletes have tackled the ballroom in the past. Olympic gymnast Louis Smith notably won the show in 2012, while former England cricketers Mark Ramprakash and Darren Gough respectively won Strictly in 2006 and 2005.
The dance floor has also welcomed other athletes in the likes of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Chris Robshaw and Karen Carney (who won the 2025 series alongside Carlos Gu), among others. But Kelly's combination of resilience and competition could make her another strong contender for the Glitterball trophy.
Sam Thompson
If there is one celebrity who feels destined to do Strictly, it's Sam Thompson. The Made in Chelsea star has become one of TV's most recognisable faces thanks to his infectious enthusiasm and willingness to throw himself into any new challenge.
After winning the 23rd series of I'm A Celebrity, he's already proven that audiences enjoy his presence and that he has the stamina to compete under intense conditions. There's also a natural connection to Strictly through close friend Pete Wicks and former girlfriend Zara McDermott, both of whom have competed in the BBC show.
Of course, there's yet no guarantee whether any of these names will make the final cast. But with Strictly entering a new chapter in upcoming months, landing even one or two of these familiar faces could help make this year's season unmissable.
For now, Strictly Come Dancing will be back on screens with its pre-recorded launch show in September 2026.
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