Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe BBC has announced that Lacey Turner, known for her role as Stacey Slater in EastEnders, will be a contestant on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. Turner has garnered multiple awards during her tenure on the long-running BBC soap opera and has also featured in various stage productions and TV dramas, including the lead role in Our Girl. Expressing her enthusiasm, Turner stated she is "so excited" to join the dance competition, highlighting her long-standing fandom for the show. She conveyed her disbelief at participating rather than watching from home and eagerly anticipates meeting the cast and crew. Turner also looks forward to the opportunity of acquiring a new skill through her involvement in the popular dancing programme. In fullStrictly Come Dancing reveals first celebrity contestant for 2026Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Former EastEnders star announced as first Strictly 2026 contestant
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe BBC has announced that Lacey Turner, known for her role as Stacey Slater in EastEnders, will be a contestant on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. Turner has garnered multiple awards during her tenure on the long-running BBC soap opera and has also featured in various stage productions and TV dramas, including the lead role in Our Girl. Expressing her enthusiasm, Turner stated she is "so excited" to join the dance competition, highlighting her long-standing fandom for the show. She conveyed her disbelief at participating rather than watching from home and eagerly anticipates meeting the cast and crew. Turner also looks forward to the opportunity of acquiring a new skill through her involvement in the popular dancing programme. In fullStrictly Come Dancing reveals first celebrity contestant for 2026Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
