Former Hollyoaks star Sarah Jayne Dunn has expressed her disappointment after not being selected for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. The 45-year-old actress, best known for playing Mandy Richardson on the Channel 4 soap from 1996 to 2021, spent months campaigning for a spot on the BBC dance competition.
Campaign Falls Short
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, June 28, Dunn revealed that her efforts did not result in a place on the show. She wrote: "Well, this chapter didn't end the way I'd hoped. Of course I'm disappointed. I wanted this more than I can put into words. But if this journey has taught me anything, it's that saying your dreams out loud isn't something to be embarrassed about."
Dunn, a native of Leigh, added: "Over the last few months I've been overwhelmed by your support. From every message, comment and share, to seeing my name mentioned on TV and radio… this journey has already given me more than I ever expected. So no, I won't be stepping onto the dancefloor this year."
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Lineup
The BBC has already announced several celebrities for the 2026 series, which premieres in September. Among the confirmed stars are EastEnders legend Lacey Turner, Love Island's Dani Dyer, global superstar Delta Goodrem, and hair stylist Chris Appleton. Dani Dyer was replaced by Amber Davies in the 2025 launch show after an injury, and Davies went on to reach the final with Nikita Kuzmin.
This year also marks significant changes for the show, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as presenters. Additionally, five professional dancers, including Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez, will not be returning.
Dunn's Hollyoaks Exit
Dunn was dropped from Hollyoaks in 2021 after she refused to remove photos from the adult subscription site OnlyFans. A Channel 4 spokesperson said at the time: "Hollyoaks is a youth-facing drama with many young viewers… we take our responsibility to our young audience very seriously and therefore the show does not allow any Hollyoaks cast members to be active on certain 18+ websites. We had hoped we could reach a resolution with Sarah that would allow her to remain in her role as Mandy, but we respect her choice."
In response, Dunn said setting up the OnlyFans page was "about taking back control." She noted: "I've done men's mag upon men's mag and calendar upon calendar, I've enjoyed every shoot but never felt like I had much say in them. I've been pitted against other girls and felt deflated if not chosen for a shoot or for a cover… The older I get the more cathartic it is to take back control, to put healthy boundaries in place and to know my worth and my value."
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, Dunn remains optimistic about the future. She concluded her Instagram post: "Dreams don't always arrive on our timeline. That doesn't mean they're over. Thank you for coming on this journey with me. Here's to whatever comes next… and to always asking, 'Why not me?' Manifesting continues… just with a different date."
