BBC One and BBC iPlayer have confirmed Melanie Walters as the final celebrity addition to the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing. The announcement was made on Wednesday 12 August via the official social media channels for the program on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. The series is scheduled to broadcast on Saturday and Sunday nights this autumn.
Walters is known for her role as Gwen West in the BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey, a character she played in the original run and the 2024 Christmas special. Her television credits include appearances in Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Biff and Chip, and Doc Martin. She also appeared in two series of the BBC production Death Valley. Her film work includes Submarine, Resistance, High Tide, and Save the Cinema.
The full celebrity lineup for the 2026 series consists of Walters, Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Graeme Hall, Lawrence Robb, Tabby Stoecker, and John Nellis.