Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters has been confirmed as the final contestant to join this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up. The 64-year-old from Swansea is best known for playing Gwen West in the BBC comedy, but she has also built a successful career as a Pilates instructor.
A career beyond acting
Walters has forged an impressive career spanning film, radio, television and theatre. Her television credits include roles in Death Valley, Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Biff and Chip, and Doc Martin, while her film appearances take in Submarine, Resistance, High Tide and Save the Cinema.
In her spare time, she works as a Pilates instructor. She has been dedicated to Pilates for more than two decades, having gained her instructor qualification in 2002 — five years before Gavin and Stacey's debut in 2007. She established her own enterprise, Practical Pilates Ltd, and teaches at Pili-Pala, which focuses on Pilates and homeopathy. Pili-Pala, the Welsh word for 'butterfly', provides both online sessions and in-person classes throughout the Swansea region.
Advanced qualifications
The Pili-Pala website reveals that Walters has participated in workshops led by distinguished figures in the Pilates world, including Polestar Pilates, Stott, Body Control Pilates, Active Pilates, Lolita San Miguel and Alan Heardman in London. She has since become an advanced instructor, obtaining qualifications from The Pilates Institute in London across multiple disciplines, including mat-based Pilates, back care Pilates, clinical posture, Pilates in pregnancy and functional rehabilitation.
Additionally, she holds advanced personal trainer credentials, encompassing gym and circuit training, nutrition, exercise programme design and fitness testing.
Strictly announcement
On Wednesday, August 12, Melanie was announced as the final celeb to be on Strictly Come Dancing 2026. Many have hinted that her professional Pilates background could give her the edge over competitors.
Speaking to MagicFM about her on-screen mother's appearance on Strictly, Joanna Page said: "I would be watching every week supporting her." She added: "She's brilliant because she's like, she's a pretty nifty mover. So I think she would be absolutely fab on it. I want to say she's very flexible because she is. I don't know if people know this, but she is a qualified Pilates instructor. So if anybody could do it, Mel could do it."
Page also commented: "I think that Mel would be really good with Vito, because he's just a lovely, lovely fella. He's really nice, really good fun, and excitable as well, so she'll be doing some really exciting moves." Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September.
