Tabby Stoecker, the 25-year-old skeleton racer from Highgate, London, who made history as the first woman of colour to win gold for Team GB at the Winter Olympics, is now competing for the Strictly Glitterball. She won mixed team gold at the Milano-Cortina Games and has also signed up for Gladiators, though she is keeping details under wraps.
From Olympic Dreams to Dance Rehearsals
Having swapped her sled for dance shoes, Stoecker is deep in rehearsals for BBC's Strictly, a show she has watched since childhood. "I've had the wildest year," she says. "This time last year, I was a bundle of nerves trying to chase my Olympic dreams. I'd never been in front of a camera, on a TV show, never been to the Olympics... My whole life has done a complete 180."
When she received the call confirming her place in the 2026 cast, she was alone on the Tube and kept losing connection. "I think I screamed out loud. Apologies to anyone on that carriage that day – they must have thought there was some kind of emergency!" she recalls.
Family Support and Partner Reveal
Since her mother Alison found out, she dances and sings the Strictly theme tune at every meeting, and her boyfriend Pat was "over the moon, he knows what this year has meant to me already." Stoecker calls herself a "total novice" at dancing and had no idea who her pro partner was until Saturday's launch show.
"The launch show was the most perfect kind of chaos – it was unbelievably fun finding out our partners through dance! Now it's over, my nerves have settled ever so slightly because I officially have someone's hand to hold throughout the show," she says.
Learning to Dance and Finding Her Feet
Before the partner reveal, Stoecker practised with all the dancers, and laughter began during lift practice. "I think it was Mark who was lifting me once, and I just, without realising, went, 'Wheeee!' I made this silly noise, and he just looked at me and burst out laughing," she reveals.
The pre-recorded group dance was another eye-opener. "It was the first time I'd been in full Strictly glam. I did not recognise myself. And it was the first time I had to dance in heels. I'm used to trainers or sprint spikes, I felt like Bambi," she laughs.
New Friendships and Facing the Judges
Stoecker has bonded with House Of The Dragon star Bethany Antonia and Australian singer Delta Goodrem, and the celebs have a lively WhatsApp group chat, with actress Jaime Winstone proving the biggest joker. "We've had lots of funny GIFs from Jaime. But we're all talking about falling over in rehearsals and laughing at ourselves. That's the British way, isn't it?" she says.
The Olympian admits she is worried about the more sensual Latin dances. "I'm excited to explore that side of myself, through dance. I'm used to lying flat, like head-first sprinting. For skeleton, my body is in a very specific, quite rigid position. So, I've never had to think of having that kind of flow and shape to my movements," she explains.
"I'm an elite athlete, but I have never sweated so much in my life. That's really saying something about how demanding the training is. I'm quite nervous about feedback from Shirley [Ballas]. I feel like she often says some really lovely things, but then also gives very technical feedback. We'll see."
Representation and Looking Ahead
Stoecker, who is part-Nigerian, is proud to represent her multicultural background. "It's so important to show all the different cultures that exist in our country – and celebrate the successes of everybody who is British," she says.
Before skeleton racing, she spent years practising circus arts, including flying trapeze, which she believes solidified her love of extreme sports. "Well, you never know. I think it would definitely be a Strictly first," she laughs about showing trapeze skills. "I love adrenaline, anything that's going to make my stomach drop. So if I get the opportunity, I wouldn't say no."
Stoecker is aiming for the Glitterball: "Wouldn't it be fantastic to add that to my collection of trophies this year? So I'm going to go for it." She is also excited to use her platform to show young women the sky is the limit. "I do an extreme winter sport that's male-dominated. I want to show that women can do it and still lean into their feminine side, the two can co-exist," she says.
She will train for her sport alongside dance routines, relying on "coffee and at least 10 hours sleep a night." For the first time in years, she can enjoy the run-up to Christmas with family. "I'm normally competing in Europe, America or Korea, so I'll actually see more of them," she smiles. As for live show attendees, she admits, "I have a spreadsheet, which is filling up. And, at home, there will be watch parties every Saturday. Let's hope there are plenty of them ahead!"
