Strictly Come Dancing have announced Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters as the fifteenth star for this year's series, completing the line-up10:14, 12 Aug 2026Updated 10:23, 12 Aug 2026Strictly Come Dancing have announced Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters as the final celebrity for this year's series.‌The BBC show is back this September with 15 more celebrities taking to the dancefloor. Gavin and Stacey actress Melanie - who played Gwen West - is the fifteenth and final name to be confirmed for the Latin and ballroom competition.‌As well as the BBC sitcom, Melanie has had roles in Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Biff and Chip and Doc Martin as well as a number of films.‌She has also starred in multiple theatre shows including The Importance of Being Earnest, Blood Brothers, Twelfth Night, Educating Rita and What’s New Pussycat?Speaking about joining the show, she said: "Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.‌"This year I am completely thrilled and happy to swap my fairy wand for sequinned dance shoes. I just hope I don’t follow Cinderella and leave one on the Ballroom stairs. I cannot wait to take part in this absolutely iconic show, it’s so exciting. See you in September!"Melanie completes this year’s celebrity lineup alongside Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Graeme Hall, Lawrence Robb, Tabby Stoecker, and John Nellis in the 2026 Strictly Come Dancing line-up.Friends and fans were delighted to see Melanie signed up for the show, with one writing: "Omg @melaniewalters2025 I cannot wait to watch you." Another added: "Ridiculously excited for this casting."‌Former Strictly star Amber Davies wrote: "THIS IS FANTASTIC," whilst Strictly professional dancers Nancy Xu and Amy Dowden shared respectively: "welcome @melaniewalters2025" and "Yayyyy xxx welcome x."The new line-up has come under fire in recent week as nine stars have dance experience. Around 60 per cent of this year's cast have previously danced, attended stage school, studied performing arts or taken part in stage productions.An insider told the Mirror: "There is no rule that celebrities cannot have dance experience before taking part and it would be near impossible to find a cast of celebrities who have no previous dance experience as many people in the entertainment industry go to stage school."Article continues belowThe line-up has already sparked plenty of discussion among Strictly fans, with some viewers admitting they have struggled to recognise a number of this year's contestants.Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.