Lacey Turner confirmed as first Strictly contestant

Actress Lacey Turner will compete on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC has confirmed.

The EastEnders star is the first celebrity contestant to be announced for the 2026 series, which begins in the autumn.

Turner said she was "so excited to being making my way to the dance floor", adding that she was a "huge fan" of the show.

The new series of Strictly will be presented by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, after the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

The announcement of the first celebrity has come significantly earlier than usual - the BBC usually confirms the line-up in August.

The corporation did not explain why it had started announcing the line-up early, but said further contestants would be revealed "throughout the summer" before the series launches in September.

Turner is best known for her role as Stacey Slater on EastEnders, which she joined in 2004.

She has won a British Soap Award and National Television Award for her role on the show, and has also starred in TV dramas including the BBC's Our Girl.

In a statement, she said: "I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing!

"I am a huge fan and can't quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill."

Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke will all return to the series as judges.

But other regulars including Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Katya Jones, Vito Coppola and Aljaz Skorjanec will be back on the dance floor.