Eurovision Star Delta Goodrem Rumoured for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Strictly Come Dancing producers are moving forward with securing the 2026 lineup, and Australian singer Delta Goodrem is rumoured to be among the first celebrities to have signed up. According to reports, the 41-year-old vocalist has been on the show's wishlist for years, with a source telling the Daily Mail that it is "all but a done deal." The source added, "They've been trying to get her for years. Obviously, she is a good name for the show." The Independent has contacted representatives for Goodrem and the BBC for comment.
Delta Goodrem's Career and Eurovision Involvement
Delta Goodrem began her music career in the early 2000s, signing her first record contract and achieving a string of hits in her native Australia. Her debut album, Innocent Eyes, reached number two on the UK charts, and she has since sold over nine million albums worldwide, topping charts in eight countries. Goodrem also gained fame for her role as Nina Tucker in the long-running soap opera Neighbours.
This year, Goodrem has a busy schedule, having been confirmed to represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna next month. Australia has participated in Eurovision since 2015, and Goodrem expressed her honour at being selected, stating, "As a singer-songwriter, music has been my lifelong passion." She added, "I've always loved the creativity, individuality, and joy Eurovision brings, connecting and uniting people across the globe through music; the universal language. I can't wait to arrive in Vienna and make Australia proud." She will perform her new song "Eclipse" at the competition.
Strictly Come Dancing's Major Shake-Up
The rumoured signing of Delta Goodrem comes amid significant behind-the-scenes changes at Strictly Come Dancing. Recently, the show announced the departure of four long-serving professional dancers: Karen Hauer, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, and Michelle Tsiakkas. In her first interview after exiting, Tsiakkas revealed she was informed of the decision "out of the blue" over Zoom, saying, "It felt like my world was falling apart, my dream was shattered. I gave my everything to the show for the four years – it was my whole life." Tsiakkas was paired with a celebrity partner only once during her tenure, notably with EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick in 2024.
Additionally, Strictly bosses have yet to announce replacements for hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left at the end of the previous series after more than 20 years with the show. Several high-profile names have been linked to the presenting roles, including Alison Hammond, who recently disclosed that she turned down one of the jobs due to scheduling conflicts. Hammond explained to Radio Times, "I'm so busy, babes, that I'm not sure it's going to happen. It's unrealistic. I'm so happy they considered me but, like Traitors, I can't do it because everything clashes." Other rumoured candidates include Hammond's former This Morning colleague Holly Willoughby and ex-It Takes Two host Zoe Ball.
As Strictly Come Dancing navigates these transitions, the potential addition of Delta Goodrem could bring a fresh dynamic to the 2026 series, blending her international music success with the show's iconic dance format.
