Strictly Come Dancing has just confirmed the second celebrity to be taking to the ballroom for the brand-new 2026 series, and it's none other than Love Island's Dani Dyer.
The reality star and TV personality was one of the popular lineup rumours this year, considering she was actually part of last year's celebrity roster but had to sadly withdraw from the competition due to an injury. Dani shared her heartbreak at the time, and fans were hopeful that she would be welcomed back to the BBC series for another go.
"I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September," she shared in a statement alongside today's exciting announcement. "I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one! I'm just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!"
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Strictly's official Instagram account shared the news of Dani's return with a video reveal this morning, along with the caption: "She's back where she belongs – on the #strictly dance floor", before they added: "Welcome back".
Dani first appeared on our screens in series four of ITV2's hit dating show Love Island, where she went on to win the series. Her relationship on the show didn't work out, however she has gone on to have a successful career on television, also appearing in Celebrity Gogglebox, Celebrity MasterChef, and more recently, a winning appearance on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
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She has also worked with her famous father, British acting legend Danny Dyer, on a number of projects, including the hit Sky series The Dyers Caravan Park, as well as the popular podcast Live and Let Dyers.
Earlier today, Dani was reflecting on her experience on last year's Strictly – before she was forced to leave the series ahead of the live shows.
Sharing a number of throwback snaps from her camera roll, which included pictures from dance training, she wrote: "Honestly loved this time so much," alongside a heart emoji.
Dani also added: "Nearly made it, just didn't quite get to dance on that Strictly floor..."
Dani is the second celebrity to be officially confirmed for the 2026 series, which also has a trio of new hosts, with EastEnders legend Lacey Turner leading the lineup.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to the BBC later this year.
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TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
