Gavin and Stacey actress Melanie Walters has said she is "completely thrilled" to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing line-up. The Welsh star, aged 64, was revealed as the final celebrity confirmed for the 2026 series, which is set to kick off in September.
Walters swaps fairy wand for sequins
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."
The announcement was made via the Strictly Come Dancing Instagram account on Wednesday, which posted: "Stacey's mum has got it going on! Bringing a little Barry Island sparkle to #Strictly, it's @melaniewalters2025!"
Career highlights and full line-up
Walters is widely recognised for her portrayal of Gwen West in the beloved BBC comedy, a role she first took on when the show launched in 2007 before reprising it for the 2024 Christmas special. Her broader television career includes appearances in Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Biff And Chip, and Doc Martin, while her film work spans Submarine, Resistance, High Tide and Save The Cinema.
Her extensive stage credits include The Importance Of Being Earnest, Blood Brothers, Twelfth Night, Educating Rita and What's New Pussycat?, and she recently featured in two series of BBC crime mystery Death Valley. Walters completes this year's celebrity roster 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.
New presenters and professional dancers
The forthcoming series of the beloved BBC programme will be fronted by presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe. The presenters step in to fill the shoes of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who confirmed their departures from the show towards the end of last year.
The BBC has additionally revealed that five fresh professional dancers will be joining the cast this series: Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita. Strictly Come Dancing is set to return on BBC One and iPlayer once again come September.
