Former Hollyoaks actress Sarah Jayne Dunn has expressed her disappointment after failing to secure a place on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. The 44-year-old, who played Mandy Richardson on the Channel 4 soap from 1996 until 2021, was famously dropped from the show after launching a secondary career selling explicit content on OnlyFans.
Dunn's public campaign falls short
Earlier this year, Dunn launched a social media campaign to persuade Strictly bosses to cast her, vowing to take weekly steps toward her goal. However, in a statement on Instagram on Sunday, she confirmed she had not been selected for the 2026 lineup. She wrote: "Manifesting Strictly 2026... 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."
Despite the setback, Dunn struck a defiant tone: "But if this journey has taught me anything, it's that saying your dreams out loud isn't something to be embarrassed about. It's brave. It's vulnerable. And whether you get the outcome you're hoping for or not, there's something really powerful about backing yourself."
Support from fans acknowledged
Dunn thanked her followers for their support, noting that the campaign had already brought unexpected rewards. "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," she said.
She also made clear that her ambition to compete on the BBC ballroom show remains alive: "So no, I won't be stepping onto the dancefloor this year. But I also won't be quietly talking myself out of the possibility that one day I will. 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."
Confirmed contestants for 2026
The full lineup for this year's Strictly has not yet been announced, but known participants include EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, Love Island winner Dani Dyer, Kim Kardashian's hairdresser Chris Appleton, and Australian singer Delta Goodrem.
In February, Dunn launched her campaign in an Instagram video, admitting she was unsure if her idea was "brilliant - or completely delusional." She said: "I am manifesting Strictly 2026. This is something that I've dreamt - dared to dream - about doing since Strictly Come Dancing was called Come Dancing. Who remembers those days?"
She added: "I have always wanted to wear the beautiful dresses with the feathers and learn such a gorgeous skill. I love dancing, but the dancing that I do is not ballroom or Latin; I'm doing the Paso. There's a little girl inside of me, little Sarah, who will not be happy until she has been on Strictly Come Dancing so I'm putting it out there and I'm manifesting hard."
Career after Hollyoaks
Since leaving Hollyoaks, Dunn has appeared in Doctors and Casualty, as well as theatre productions. Her OnlyFans venture led to her dismissal from the soap in 2021, a decision that generated significant media attention. Despite the rejection, Dunn remains determined to eventually compete on the show, telling fans: "The worst-case scenario is that I do this series, I have fun, and I engage with you guys, and I learn some new skills. Best case scenario [sings the Strictly theme tune]... Help me with some ideas for this series."
