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Actress Jaime Winstone has been announced as the eighth celebrity to be taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing 2026

The news was announced on Thursday via @bbcstrictly’s official social channels on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.

Jaime said: 'I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year.

'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me. I love a challenge though, so can’t wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!! Let’s get physical – see you on the dance floor!'

Jaime, 41, whose father is actor Ray Winstone, began her acting career in 2004 and has since established herself as one of Britain’s most recognisable screen talents, starring in a string of acclaimed and iconic films including Made in Dagenham, Bullet Boy, Tomb Raider, and Wild Bill, among many others.

Actress Jaime Winstone was the eighth celebrity to be announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 on Thursday

Alongside her impressive film career, she has built an extensive television resume with roles in Dead Set, Torvill & Dean, Poirot, Mad Dogs, Count Abdulla, and the BBC drama Four Lives.

Jaime received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of the legendary Barbara Windsor in the BBC biopic Babs.

She later stepped into Windsor’s famous role of Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders appearing in flashback specials, most recently during the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations last year.

The episode went on to win the British Soap Award for Best Single Episode.

Away from the screen, Jaime has enjoyed a successful modelling career, and starred in the West End production of 2:22 A Ghost Story.

Jaime joins Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best and Dame Sarah Storey in the 2026 Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

Last week, Strictly faced backlash over the signing of Love Island star Cach, who is also a professional dancer.

The influencer and model, 25, was announced as the fifth celebrity to be taking part in this year's series.

She later stepped into Windsor’s famous role of Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders appearing in flashback specials, most recently during the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations last year

Big Brother presenter Will Best (L) and Love Island star Cach (R) have also been announced

Delta Goodrem (L) and Lacey Turner (R) were revealed as the third and fourth contestants

And while most fans know him for winning last year's Love Island, others had to turn to Google to find out why he is famous.

Some fans shared their displeasure due to Cach's dance background, echoing the backlash Strictly stars JB Gill and Tasha Ghouri both received in previous years.

Cach has earned a legion of social media fans on TikTok for showcasing his Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance moves.

As well as modelling and DJing, Cach puts on dance classes for aspiring dancers.

Fans fumed: 'Had to google who he was, and the first thing that came up was 'professional dancer'!!! wtf @bbcstrictly',

'He's a professional dancer', 'Sorry but the inevitable who? Never heard of him,' Can we get some proper celebrities? Never heard of him,' 'extremely unfair on other contestants'.

Cach won Love Island in 2025 alongside his ex-girlfriend Toni Laites before splitting seven months later.

It comes after it was revealed Dani is also making her Strictly comeback.

Kim Kardashian's celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton was the fourth star announced

Dani Dyer is also making her Strictly comeback after she was forced to pull out last year due to an injury

The TV star has been confirmed as the second celeb to take part in the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing one year after she was forced to quit the 2025 run after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals.

Dani said: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September!'

'I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one! I'm just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!'

Upon her exit last year, BBC bosses confirmed the door would be left open for 'heartbroken' Dani to return for the 2026 series as they said they 'hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future'.

Meanwhile Lacey was the first contestant announced for 2026 as she is currently on an extended break from playing her iconic character Stacey Slater in the soap and is keen to use her time to train for the BBC competition, which will start in September.

In a video shared to Instagram, Lacey admitted she is 'terrified' to be taking part in the BBC show, which will return to screens in September, and can't wait to 'learn a new skill'.

She said: 'Hello it's Lacey Turner I can't quite believe that I'm actually saying this but I want to let you in on a little secret.

'This September I will be taking my little toes onto the dancefloor to do Strictly Come Dancing.

'I can't believe it. I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plucked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor. So, there you go the secret is out, see you there in September.'