Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb joins Strictly line-up Updated 6 August 2026Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb is the latest star to join the line-up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.Robb has played Mackenzie 'Mack' Boyd in the ITV soap since 2020, and has also appeared opposite Billie Piper in I Hate Suzie and in stage productions such as Legally Blonde The Musical. In a statement, the actor joked: "I don't know who's more excited about this, me or my mother."I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time."He added: "It's a dream come true, and I can't wait to bring my all to ballroom. Wish me luck, and any advice is very welcome - trust me I'll need it!"Robb is the 12th celebrity to be confirmed for this year's series, joining stars including Delta Goodrem, Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Will Best, Jaime Winstone and Dame Sarah Storey.More contestants are set to be announced in the coming weeks, with 15 expected in the final line-up.
Scroll down to see the rest of this year's line-up so far:Graeme HallKnown as the Dogfather, Graeme Hall has appeared on Channel 5's Dog's Behaving (Very) Badly since the show's launch in 2017.The presenter and dog trainer has also fronted The Dog Hospital and contributed to BBC radio programmes, ITV's This Morning, and wrote a regular column for the Times."I can't believe I am joining the cast of Strictly for 2026," Hall said. "I have always loved dancing, so to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the business is a dream come true."I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking! I can't wait to get started.
Bring it on!"Hall has also written books including The Ultimate Kid's Guide to Dogs and previously made a cameo appearance in the hit drama All Creatures Great and Small.Shaun Wright-PhillipsOther celebrities to be confirmed for Strictly this year include former England and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.The football pundit, who is the son of Arsenal legend Ian Wright, had 36 caps for England and also played for clubs including Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers.His fancy footwork may have dazzled on the pitch but Wright-Phillips said this latest challenge "is definitely outside my comfort zone". "Dancing is in my blood - but mainly at family events!" he said. "I'm super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!"While ex-footballers have had mixed fortunes on previous Strictly series, former soccer star Karen Carney flipped the script last year by winning the coveted glitterball.Bethany AnthonyAntonia has portrayed dragon-rider Lady Baela Targaryen in HBO's Game of Thrones prequel since 2022.
She is currently starring as Eurydice in the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown in London's West End.Her acting career began when she was 14 when she appeared in a short film adaptation of The Tempest, before being cast as a guest role in the BBC's Doctors.The singer and actress has also appeared in series including Nolly, Stay Close, Stath Lets Flats, and Doctor Who.Antonia said: "I can't quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom this September! I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill. See you on the dancefloor!"Jaime WinstoneJaime Winstone launched her acting career in 2004 and her film credits include Bullet Boy, Tomb Raider and Wild Bill, as well stage productions such as 2:22 A Ghost Story.The actress, who also won acclaim for her portrayal of Barbara Windsor in the BBC biopic Babs, said she was "so excited" to be joining the dance competition.
The actress said in a statement she was "no stranger to a dance floor", but added that ballroom is "a whole new world for me"."I love a challenge though," she continued, "so can't wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!"Winstone has also appeared in TV series such as Poirot, Dead Set, Torvill & Dean, Mad Dogs, Count Abdulla and Four Lives.After playing Windsor in Babs, Winstone stepped into the late actress's famous role of Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, appearing in flashback specials, most recently in the soap's 40th anniversary last year. Dame Sarah Storey he "can't wait to get started'Known as Great Britain's most successful Paralympian of all time, Dame Sarah Storey has secured 19 gold medals across the nine Paralympic Games she competed in.The swimmer and cyclist said embarking on the challenge is "hugely exciting" and she "can't wait to get started"."I have always loved watching Strictly and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world, is incredibly motivating!" she said.The former athlete won four golds at London 2012. She started her career as a swimmer and later switched to cycling, winning 30 Paralympic medals in total.Will BestBest is known for hosting Big Brother with AJ Odudu on ITV since 2023, and as host of the Hits Radio Breakfast Show alongside Fleur East and James Barr.He said it was "an absolute dream" to be taking to the BBC One contest's dance floor in September, "albeit a pretty terrifying one".Best added: "I've been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this.
And I cannot wait!"I have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dance floor! I'm going to try to enjoy every minute of it."Cach MercerMercer was part of the winning couple on ITV dating show Love Island last year, and also works as a model and DJ, and is an ambassador for a young people's mental health charity."I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast," he said. Mercer also showcases his Afrobe
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