Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Part 3: More Q&As with Lacey Turner, Will Best and Tabby Stoecker!
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 is almost here, and this time, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe take the helm, as a brand-new year in the ballroom begins. The launch show opens in spectacular style, with an incredible performance from the entire Strictly cast. Fifteen celebrities nervously wait to find out their professional partners and this year – there’s a twist.
Five new Pros make their entrance on the dancefloor and reigning champion, Karen Carney returns for an epic performance. Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke return to the judging panel to keep a watchful eye over proceedings before the competition officially kicks off next Saturday, September 19th on BBC1 at 7.25pm.
Lacey Turner
How do you feel about joining the Strictly class of 2026?
I’m excited to learn something new and to be a part of this whole glittery shenanigan. But I am absolutely terrified and hoping that will go once I’m in the training room and I can get into it. I’m going to create a character that I can play on a Saturday night, as that’s the only way I’ll get out there I think!
What made you say yes to Strictly?
I’ve always wanted to do it, but I’ve just never been brave enough. I’ve had a friend do it every year, so I know how hard it is. A lot of my friends are physically fit, and they have been exhausted. So, whilst I’m not working on EastEnders this year, I thought it might be a good time to do it because I’m not sure I am physically or mentally fit enough to do both jobs at the same time as well as run a household with three feral children! [laughs]
What are you most looking forward to? What are you most nervous about?
I’m actually most looking forward to the training. I think that I will enjoy that bit of it the most, and meeting everybody else. I’m obviously most terrified about the live Saturday nights and sitting in the makeup chair for that long, I’m not very good at that! I’m going to try my best and work on my patience.
Do you have a signature dance move?
All I’ve done on dance floors for the past 25 years is put my right arm up and point it in the air! [laughs]
If you could perform any iconic Strictly routine from past series, which would it be?
I’ve always gravitated towards something Latin. I’ve got to say I thought Balvinder and Julian’s Paso Doble last year was brilliant.
How did your family and friends react when you told them?
They’re so excited, even more excited than me! I think they’ve always wanted me to do it so they are beside themselves, especially my children.
Is there anyone in particular – whether family or friend – who you’re doing Strictly for?
It’s mainly for myself and my children. I want to show them that you can do anything if you’re brave and you work hard.
What are you hoping to get out of the experience?
Just to have a good time. I think it is such a lovely experience that not many people get the opportunity to do. So, I’ve got to really enjoy it because it is a once in a lifetime thing.
What would be your dream song to dance to?
I’m actually terrible with music. I’ve normally got the wrong words and I have no idea who sang it. But, my daughter’s favourite song is ‘Ordinary’ by Alex Warren, so she really wants me to do a dance to that. And my son’s favourite is a song from Minions, so you never know it might be that for Movie Week!
Have you met any of your fellow Strictly 2026 alumni before?
I’ve met Dani and Jaime before, which is lovely because we’re sort of similar and we’re the same-ish ages. So, I’m looking forward to seeing them again and becoming a big family with everyone else.
Do you have any backstage rituals to get you in the zone?
Oh no. I’m one of those that just wings it and hopes for the best!
How would your family/friends describe your dancing skills?
Not great. I have zero dancing skills, so definitely room for improvement!
The nation has watched you grow up as the legendary Stacey Slater on EastEnders. Is there something you hope they’ll discover about you during your Strictly journey?
I think it would just be nice for people to maybe see me as me. You play the same character for 21 years, and there are obviously bits of me in Stacey, but we are so different. Hopefully on Strictly people will be able to separate me from the character and learn more about me.
Will Best
How do you feel about joining the Strictly class of 2026?
It’s a dream come true! My main feelings are a mixture of delirious excitement, and terror, and I think that’s healthy [laughs]. It still feels surreal and I can’t quite picture myself on the show – it seems crazy that I’m going to be doing the thing that I’ve watched so many other people do for so long. And when I do imagine doing it, my knees go a bit wobbly.
What made you say yes to Strictly?
The thing that always blows my mind is watching people who’ve never danced before put on some of the most unbelievable displays of dancing prowess. To just be in the ballroom on that dance floor, I jumped at the chance because I love the show – and I love music, which is such a huge part of it. The thought that I might learn even a tenth of the moves that people seem to be able to learn after a few weeks of the show, and to think that I could hold my own in any dance-off in a club, is amazing.
What are you most looking forward to, and what are you most nervous about?
I’m specifically nervous about remembering the routines. It’s not that I’m particularly nervous about the movement, although I am obviously nervous about that, it’s the fear of getting lost on the dancefloor and not knowing what my legs are supposed to do next. There is a reason why I don’t do TikTok dances on my feed, and it’s mainly because they take me about a week to learn! [laughs]. I am probably most excited about the feeling that will come after having done my first dance and it’s gone well, but I don’t know if that’s going to happen so that’s kind of maybe wishful thinking… Also, wearing some low-cut shirts!
Do you have a signature dance move?
I do this thing that is slightly hard to describe. I drop to my knee, down into a very low squat, and then I spring up again whilst alternately kicking my legs. I guess you could describe it as a kind of Cossack-inspired breakdancing move. Which gets harder and harder the older my knees get, and it doesn’t look as impressive as it feels!
If you could perform any iconic Strictly routine from past series, which would it be?
Probably Fleur East and Vito when they did the Destiny’s Child Mega Mix, which was their first perfect score of 40 – and at Blackpool no less. If you’re going to pull out a 40 pointer, that’s the time to do it!
How did your family and friends react when you told them?
My mum cried, which is very sweet. She’s a big fan of the show. Everyone else was just very, very excited, but Mum shedding a few tears was probably the highlight.
Is there anyone in particular – whether family or friend – who you’re doing Strictly for?
It would have to be my mum. When I first got into telly, I think it’s been my mum’s ambition for me. When I got my first big proper telly gig, my Mum was like, “oh my god, does this mean you might be able to do Strictly?”. So, this has been on her mood board for about 15 years.
What are you hoping to get out of the experience?
Besides some dance moves, my friends that have done the show like Fleur [East] and AJ [Odudu], are still good mates with people that they did the show with. It’s probably that, and it sounds really pathetic doesn’t it, but making friends! [laughs].
What would be your dream song to dance to?
I interviewed Sam Smith on the radio recently, and they have a new single out called ‘My Guy’, and in the studio we said this would be an incredible song for a waltz. I told them that because they love Strictly, and I said to them that I would dance to the song. They said, “please dance to it and I’ll come sing it”! Which obviously can’t happen because that would be very unfair [laughs].
Have you met any of your fellow Strictly 2026 alumni before?
I’ve met Dani Dyer, but I haven’t seen her since I chose her dad as my specialist subject on Mastermind, so I don’t know whether she is going to be freaked out by me and I’m slightly embarrassed. I chose him because he’s a national treasure. I’ve always thought it would be fun to be mates with him, but in hindsight, I don’t know whether basically telling somebody that you’re an obsessive fan is the best way to spark a lasting friendship.
Do you have any backstage rituals to get you in the zone?
Before every live Big Brother show, I have one small beer, a cola, and a water – separately! I basically have 3 drinks and it’s always quite difficult to hold them all. But I probably shouldn’t have the cola just before dancing, because I don’t want to be, you know, gassy if I am very close to somebody else’s face… I also always give AJ a hug before going live, so it’s going to be so weird getting all spruced up in my Cuban heels and my low-cut shirts and not having AJ there to wave me off onto the stage!
How would your family/friends describe your dancing skills?
I’d say eccentric. I wouldn’t go as far as to say non-existent, but there’s room for improvement.
Which Strictly judge, pro or fellow competitor would you most want to be trapped in the Big Brother house with and why?
I think Craig would be like the perfect Big Brother housemate. I’ve only met him to interview him, but he’s very funny and he doesn’t care what other people think. He has a hard, cutting exterior, but actually he’s a big softy on the inside, so you would get a real character arc. He’d go in as the slightly grumpy, prickly character, and then he’d come out as a big loveable mushy mess, and it would be great.
Tabby Stoecker
How do you feel about joining the Strictly class of 2026?
I am buzzing! But I will say it still genuinely feels like a dream, someone pinch me. I can’t comprehend that I’m actually going to be the person dancing in the sparkly dress and heels on the telly!
What made you say yes to Strictly?
I wanted a new challenge! I’ve still got so much more to do in my sport but from when I turned 18 and discovered skeleton, my whole life has been spent doing the same thing, trying to master the same skills every single day. Of course that’s got me to an Olympic gold medal which I couldn’t be prouder of – but it also means I’ve not put myself out there in a long time, to go and learn something totally new and challenge myself in a different way, and that’s how we grow right? Strictly feels like such an opportunity to find out who I am outside of my sport and push myself!
What are you most looking forward to?
Honestly, I have so much admiration for professional dancers – they make something so difficult and technical look effortless and beautiful, and I really really want to learn how to do that – to captivate people in that way and move my body with fluidity and grace! Plus, anything sparkly or jewelled has a special place in my heart so the costumes are a massive treat.
What are you most nervous about?
Oh there’s a lot of firsts coming up for me. I’m definitely nervous about wearing heels, dancing in heels, dancing on live television in heels… I’m also weirdly super nervous about tripping and falling down the stairs before the dancing even starts! I keep having little nightmares about it! For saying I’m an elite athlete, I can be incredibly clumsy.
Do you have a signature dance move?
To be honest I’m hardly ever in dancing situations – I started sports straight out of school so I didn’t go out dancing much when I was younger or anything! But I love a good kitchen boogie and usually it’s spinning and jumping or some variation of the two. Also – when the washing machine finishes its cycle it always plays this little song and it’s become a running joke at home that I stop what I’m doing and dance to it with a very specific move… I don’t know how to describe it but it always makes people giggle.
If you could perform any iconic Strictly routine from past series, which would it be?
There are two that spring to mind… Faye Tozer and Giovanni doing theatre and jazz in the sunglasses. Faye’s got this long ponytail and it was just so, so cool – the style, the music and the precision. Then also the iconic samba that Danny Mac and Oti did. That lives rent free in my head.
How did your family and friends react when you told them?
There was a lot of screaming and jumping around doing their best ballroom dancing impressions. My best friend actually screamed out the window into the traffic we were sat in! To put it simply, they were all absolutely buzzing for me.
Is there anyone in particular – whether family or friend – who you’re doing Strictly for?
I have to dedicate my Strictly journey to my mum. There’s always music playing at home and mum’s always stood in the kitchen grooving – she’s been through a lot in her life and given everything to raise my sister and I. She’s such a strong woman and I don’t think I ever see her happier than when she’s dancing to a good track. She goes out dancing as often as she can, she doesn’t even need someone to go with her – she does it for herself because it brings her joy to move and groove and I love that about her.
What are you hoping to get out of the experience?
I’d love to find some confidence in who I am outside of my sport – I’m used to performing with a level of armour so to speak – being in a helmet so no one can see my individuality. But on Strictly it’s going to be all about stripping those layers away and showing people who I truly am. It’s so vulnerable to express yourself fully but I’m craving the opportunity to explore who I am and share it with the world. No more smiling behind a helmet!
Have you had any advice from any former contestants?
I’ve spoken to a few – and the advice has been really similar. Do not underestimate how hard the training is. And blister plasters… lots and lots of blister plasters!
What would be your dream song to dance to?
I’d love to dance to Cherish the Day by Sade – maybe a rumba or something. It’s such a beautiful song about true love and I’d dedicate it to my mum and dad – my dad passed away tragically when I was young and to this day my mum will forever say my dad was her one true love. So it would be nice to honour them through the dance.
Have you met any of your fellow Strictly 2026 alumni before?
No, I’ve never met any of them before! It was super exciting seeing people getting announced on socials and learning who I was going to share this amazing journey with! I think I’m the youngest celeb this year which is kind of cool because I get to speak to so many incredible people about their lives, soak up all the advice – I’ve already had a few pearls of wisdom from some of them!
Do you have any backstage rituals to get you in the zone?
Super cheesy but whenever I’m nervous before a big race I like to take myself off and find a mirror and just smile at myself – I usually end up laughing at the ridiculousness of it and it just reminds me of why I’m doing the nerve wrecking thing in the first place – because it makes me happy. And that just helps to calm me right down and reminds me to enjoy the moment. So if you catch me smiling at myself in a dressing room mirror now you know why.
How would your family and friends describe your dancing skills?
I think they’d say I’ve got rhythm and that I definitely look like I’m enjoying myself… but I don’t necessarily have any of the skills to back up my enthusiasm!
What do you think will be more nerve wracking, competing for a gold medal or dancing live on TV?
Dancing live on telly sounds incredibly nerve wracking but as I’ve still not done that yet, I have to say competing for a gold medal – the feeling of getting only one shot at achieving your dreams is a huge amount of pressure. Plus doing skeleton is dangerous in its own right, so that brings on the nerves too!
What are the transferable skills between competing at the Olympics and taking part in Strictly?
Well for starters they demand a lot of physical training, mental resilience and determination. I’d say for both you need to be ready to adapt at any moment, be extremely coachable and open to taking on feedback – good or bad – and be unflappable under pressure. Also both the Olympics and Strictly are live, so you’re putting yourself out there real time for people to watch – they’re both a performance of sorts! For skeleton specifically, we were encouraged to really tune into our body and our senses as we hurtle down the track, if you’re switched off for one moment you might miss something and then crash! So far it seems that dancing relies heavily on that trust in yourself too – so the skills translate really well!
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.