Strictly Come Dancing First Look: Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem & Lacey Turner Get Ultra-Glam Makeovers

Strictly Come Dancing is officially getting ready to light up the ballroom once again, and the first wave of promotional portraits proves the upcoming season is holding nothing back on the glamour front. Ahead of the show’s scheduled launch on September 19, the newly announced celebrity lineup has undergone the ultimate glittery makeover, trading in their everyday streetwear for head-to-toe sequins, rhinestones, and high-volume hair. Among the standout transformations revealed in the first-look promotional shots are reality icon Dani Dyer, Australian pop artist Delta Goodrem, and long-time EastEnders favorite Lacey Turner. Each star showed off an ultra-glamorous ballroom aesthetic designed to set the tone for the long-awaited autumn return. Production insiders indicate that this year’s installment features a revamped presentation style, giving the beloved BBC competition a refreshed energy for its 2026 run.

The newly released cast pictures highlight just how dramatic the wardrobe overhaul is for the competing stars. Delta Goodrem made an eye-catching impression in her dazzling floor-length gown, while former Love Island winner Dani Dyer looked fully prepared to swap reality television for tango routines. Meanwhile, soap legend Lacey Turner shed her Albert Square roots to step into an elaborate, shimmering ensemble tailored for the dance floor. However, it was Gavin & Stacey actress Melanie Walters who commanded immediate attention from viewers. Famous for playing the beloved Gwen West on the classic British sitcom, the veteran actress looked virtually unrecognizable after being dipped in shimmering sequins, dramatic makeup, and styled ballroom tresses. Her glamorous turn quickly generated major chatter online among fans eager to see how her comedic timing translates to ballroom choreography.

BUZZBEAT

The BBC dance series is set to make its official comeback on September 19, kickstarting the UK’s autumn television schedule. Audiences will finally see how the star-studded lineup pairs up with the professional dancers during the grand launch show, setting the stage for months of live ballroom battles, judge scoring, and audience voting. With the promotional campaign now officially underway, expectations are soaring for what producers are describing as a revamped edition of the flagship entertainment program. Between big-name international talent like Goodrem and home-grown British favorites like Turner and Dyer, the glitterball trophy race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.