Denise Welch has dropped a tantalising hint that she may be joining the 2026 line-up of Strictly Come Dancing. The Loose Women panellist refused to reveal details when asked if she was in talks for the show, teasing: “I’m pleading the fifth on that one. Bye!”
The new celebrity line-up has yet to be announced following a major shake-up by the BBC. Earlier this month, Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe, and comedian Josh Widdicombe were unveiled as the new presenting trio, taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down last year. Emma expressed excitement at stepping into such iconic roles, saying the opportunity was “impossible to comprehend” and praising her co-hosts and the show’s judges.
Josh Widdicombe, a former contestant on the 2024 Christmas Special, described his new role as “giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed”. Meanwhile, Johannes said hosting Strictly was “beyond anything I ever imagined” and that he felt “deeply honoured to help carry that magic forward”.
Denise’s hint comes amid speculation over which celebrities will compete this year. Historically, Loose Women panellists like Kaye Adams, Ruth Langsford, and Judi Love have joined the show, making Welch a natural candidate. Despite the buzz, she emphasised that her primary focus remains on acting, with several upcoming projects in the pipeline. “It’s all exciting,” she added.
Fans will be watching closely to see whether Denise joins the ballroom, as her presence would undoubtedly add star power and drama to the new series. With the refreshed hosting team already generating excitement, the countdown to the 2026 Strictly Come Dancing series promises to be full of surprises.
