Goodrem Heads to Strictly
Delta Goodrem Joins Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Lineup with Lacey Turner and Returning Dani Dyer
Key Points
Dani Dyer is returning after being forced to withdraw last year due to a foot injury sustained during training, which prevented her from reaching the competition’s start.
Lacey Turner—first of the 2026 celebrity contestants to be announced—said: “I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly! … I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!”
Coverage tied to Goodrem’s Eurovision run notes she placed fourth in the final with “Eclipse,” and that it was Australia’s first Eurovision final appearance in three years, in Vienna.
The Sun also provided additional background on Goodrem, saying she was wooed for Strictly for the 2025 series but “she decided it wasn’t the right time,” and that she has sold nine million albums and over 13 million singles globally since debuting with “I Don’t Care” in 2001.
Delta Goodrem has been confirmed as the third celebrity joining Strictly Come Dancing 2026, the BBC announced on June 12 during a live appearance on BBC Breakfast. The 41-year-old Australian singer joins EastEnders actress Lacey Turner and Dani Dyer, who is returning after a foot injury forced her out just 48 hours before the 2025 launch show.
Goodrem's casting comes just weeks after she represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, finishing fourth with her power ballad "Eclipse" — Australia's first Eurovision final appearance in three years. She said: "I am so excited to finally compete on the ballroom floor! After performing across so many different formats, I'm ready to embrace the challenge."
Goodrem Was Wooed Since 2025 But Waited for the Right Moment
The Sun reports that the BBC first approached Goodrem for the 2025 series, but "she decided it wasn't the right time." She instead focused on her Eurovision preparation and her "Hearts on the Run" tour. With Eurovision now behind her, the timing finally worked.
Goodrem is no stranger to UK audiences. She rose to fame playing Nina Tucker on Neighbours and has since sold over 9 million albums and 13 million singles worldwide, according to The Sun. Her debut single "I Don't Care" came out in 2001. The BBC is betting her profile will draw viewers both in the UK and Australia.
Dani Dyer Returns and Lacey Turner Leads the 2026 Class
Dani Dyer was first confirmed for Strictly back in 2025. She hurt her foot badly during a Charleston rehearsal and was ruled out just 48 hours before the launch show. The BBC promised her a priority place for 2026, and she took it. Yahoo News describes her return as a ready-made "redemption arc" for the series.
Lacey Turner, best known as Stacey Slater in EastEnders, was the first 2026 contestant announced, revealed on June 10 via The One Show. She said: "I am so excited to be making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!"
New Hosts Replace Tess and Claudia After Two Decades
The 2026 series is the biggest shake-up in Strictly's history. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman formally announced their departure in January 2026, ending a two-decade run. The BBC confirmed its new presenting trio on June 5: former pro dancer Johannes Radebe, comedian Josh Widdecombe, and veteran broadcaster Emma Willis.
The switch has divided opinion. Head Topics notes that some viewers feel nostalgic for the old dynamic. Others see it as a fresh start. Radebe moving from professional dancer to lead host is seen by some critics as a bold internal promotion — and by others as an untested gamble.
Eurovision Pipeline Becomes a BBC Casting Strategy
Goodrem is the latest in a string of Eurovision acts to land on Strictly. Sam Ryder and Mae Muller both made the same journey in recent years. Her fourth-place finish in Vienna sparked a 15% rise in UK Spotify streams. That number is expected to climb once the live shows begin, according to the research briefing.
The Daily Star frames Goodrem's casting as "a major coup" for the BBC. With the Australian market already showing interest — broadcaster Seven Network has reportedly explored a syndication deal — the show is clearly aiming beyond its traditional Saturday night UK audience for the first time.
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