Former Hollyoaks actress Sarah Jayne Dunn, who was axed from the Channel 4 soap when she decided to pursue OnlyFans, has spoken out after failing to land a spot on Strictly17:29, 28 Jun 2026Updated 17:30, 28 Jun 2026Sarah Jayne Dunn has been left "disappointed" after failing to land a place on Strictly Come Dancing. The actress, 44, previously starred as Mandy Richardson on Hollyoaks but was infamously axed after she started to pursue a secondary career selling racy photos on OnlyFans.‌Earlier this year, the former soap star decided that she would do whatever she could to try to get herself a place in the lineup of this year's edition of Strictly and told followers on Sunday that even though it was something she wanted very much, she has not been chosen to hit the ballroom this time.‌She wrote on Instagram: "Manifesting Strictly 2026... Well, this chapter didn't end the way I'd hoped. Of course I'm disappointed. I wanted this more than I can put into words.‌"But if this journey has taught me anything, it's that saying your dreams out loud isn't something to be embarrassed about. It's brave. It's vulnerable. And whether you get the outcome you're hoping for or not, there's something really powerful about backing yourself."Over the last few months I've been overwhelmed by your support. From every message, comment and share, to seeing my name mentioned on TV and radio... this journey has already given me more than I ever expected."‌Despite the setback, the actress insisted that this was not the end and she is still determined to compete on the BBC Saturday night favourite at some point. She said: "So no, I won't be stepping onto the dancefloor this year. But I also won't be quietly talking myself out of the possibility that one day I will"Dreams don't always arrive on our timeline. That doesn't mean they're over. Thank you for coming on this journey with me. Here's to whatever comes next... and to always asking, "Why not me?" Manifesting continues... just with a different date."‌The full lineup for this year's series has not yet been released, but so far, we know that EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, Love Island winner Dani Dyer, Kim Kardashian's hairdresser Chris Appleton and singer Delta Goodrem will all be taking part.In February, Sarah Jayne, who has also appeared in Doctors and Casualty as well as a string of theatre productions, launched a social media campaign where she vowed to do something every week to get her "one step closer" to the famous ballroom.Speaking in a video posted to Instagram, she said: "I have had an idea, and it is either brilliant - or completely delusional. I'm not sure which one, but I'm gonna go with it. So I'm always encouraging you guys to try new things and push yourself out of your comfort zone and do things that scare you. So this is me doing that. I am manifesting Strictly 2026.‌"This is something that I've dreamt - dared to dream - about doing since Strictly Come Dancing was called Come Dancing. Who remembers those days?"I have always wanted to wear the beautiful dresses with the feathers and learn such a gorgeous skill. I love dancing, but the dancing that I do is not ballroom or Latin; I'm doing the Paso. There's a little girl inside of me, little Sarah, who will not be happy until she has been on Strictly Come Dancing so I'm putting it out there and I'm manifesting hard."I need your help, support, and guidance on this one, guys. There's always been this little voice inside of me that says 'Not you, not this year.' But this year, 2026, I'm shutting that voice down. What have I got to lose?‌"What have I got to lose by putting myself out there and being vulnerable? It's something that I really, really, want. The worst-case scenario is that I do this series, I have fun, and I engage with you guys, and I learn some new skills."Best case scenario [sings the Strictly theme tune]...Help me with some ideas for this series. I've already got some, I'm gonna look for some ballroom classes, push myself out of my comfort zone. I'm gonna rope [my husband] Jon into doing stuff."Send me ideas and every week I'm gonna do something that will hopefully get me a step closer to being chosen to be a contestant on Strictly this year!"Article continues belowLike this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok ,Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .