TOP Controversies of 2026 Strictly Come Dancing Season 24th Contestants, Paricipants, Winner, Spoiler, Elimination

Gear up, folks – it’s time to put your dancing shoes on. With new presenters and contestants, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ will soon turn the weekends magical with theatrical and high-energy dance performances. Along with the annual visit to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the stage awaits instant challenges and numerous themes, including movies, icons, musicals, and Halloween. As the beloved reality show nears the premiere day, let’s take a look at the confirmed contestants who are ready to light up the dance platform and aspire to win the Glitterball Trophy!

2/8

Lacey Turner

Introducing the first contestant, Lacey Turner is a renowned award-winning actress who caught attention as Stacey Slater in ‘EastEnders.’ She had an incredible eight-episode podcast series in 2025, ‘We Started Here,’ where she invited actors from the industry who launched their careers through soap operas.

“I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill,” the 38-year-old said in a statement to the BBC about joining the dance reality show.

3/8

Dani Dyer

Dani Dyer marks her name as the second contestant for the 24th season of ‘Strictly Come Dancing.’ The TV personality recently bagged the win in ‘Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins,’ and acted alongside her dad in ‘The Dyers Caravan Park.’ With a competitive spirit, Dyer also won ‘Love Island UK Season 4’ in 2018.

Sharing her excitement to join the upcoming reality show, the 29-year-old 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!” Dani Dyer was supposed to join ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in the last season, but she had to back out due to an unexpected injury before the show commenced.

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4/8

Delta Goodrem

Delta Goodrem, Australia’s proficient singer-songwriter, will be joining as the third contestant in the British show. With her record-breaking debut album and topping the charts consistently, she even donned the role as the Coach in ‘The Voice Australia.’

While she became adept at various skills and explored artistic avenues, the 41-year-old revealed that she had never danced. Goodrem stated, “I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from TV, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world; there is, however, one stage I’ve never stepped onto, and that is the ballroom floor! I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!”

5/8

Chris Appleton

Chris Appleton, the celebrity hair stylist, will take the stage as the fourth confirmed contestant. From the New York breeze to the Paris chic, the 43-year-old has taken the fashion cities by storm. He has worked with Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, and many more.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story - and I can’t wait to get started,” he said in the official statement.

6/8

Cach Mercer

Cach Mercer, the star who rose to fame after being crowned as the 2025 male champion in ‘Love Island UK,’ joins the team as the fifth confirmed contestant for the show. The model from London has garnered millions of likes for his Afrobeat, hip hop, and street-style dance videos on social media.

“I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine, and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time,” the 25-year-old expressed his enthusiasm for the show.

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7/8

Will Best

The another confirmed contestants stands to be the renowned host Will Best, with over 15 years of broadcasting experience. From covering morning shows to writing articles, the presenter has done it all – and now, he is set to explore dancing.

“I can’t quite believe it…I’m doing Strictly! What an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one. I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait! I have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dance floor! I’m going to try to enjoy every minute of it,” he said in the statement to the BBC.

8/8

More about the new season of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’

From the upcoming season, three new hosts, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, will take over the responsibilities following the departure of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, per the BBC. To review performances and share their opinions, the esteemed panel of judges includes Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, along with the Head Judge, Shirley Ballas.

There will be new professional dancers joining the team; however, the old masters who return to the stage include Dianne Buswell, Julian Caillon, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, and Vito Coppola, adding to the thrill in the experienced mix.

‘Strictly Come Dancing Season 24’ is set to premiere in September 2026.

Controversies, BAFTA TV Awards 2026 full winners list

BAFTA TV Awards 2026 full winners list: Adolescence, The Celebrity Traitors and Code of Silence emerge big winners

The winners of the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards 2026 were announced at a star-studded ceremony held at Royal Festival Hall on May 10, where some of the biggest names from the television industry came together to celebrate the best shows, actors and presenters of the year.
 

Hosted by Greg Davies, the ceremony saw shows like Adolescence, The Celebrity Traitors and Code of Silence taking home major honours.

 

Jack Thorne’s Netflix drama Adolescence led the nominations this year with 11 nods. 

 

The show eventually won the award for Limited Drama, while Stephen Graham bagged the Leading Actor trophy for his performance in the series. Christine Tremarco and young actor Owen Cooper also won in the Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor categories respectively for the same show.
Meanwhile, Code of Silence emerged victorious in the Drama Series category, beating shows like A Thousand Blows and Blue Lights.

Reality show The Celebrity Traitors won the Reality category, while its host Claudia Winkleman was also nominated in the Entertainment Performance category. However, the award eventually went to Bob Mortimer for Last One Laughing UK.

Here’s the complete winners list from the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards:

Drama Series

Code of Silence — Winner

Limited Drama

Adolescence — Winner

International

The Studio — Winner

Leading Actress

Narges Rashidi for Prisoner 951 — Winner

Leading Actor

Stephen Graham for Adolescence — Winner

Actress in a Comedy

Katherine Parkinson for Here We Go — Winner

Actor in a Comedy

Steve Coogan for How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge) — Winner

Supporting Actress

Christine Tremarco for Adolescence — Winner

Supporting Actor

Owen Cooper for Adolescence — Winner

Entertainment

Last One Laughing UK — Winner

Entertainment Performance

Bob Mortimer for Last One Laughing UK — Winner

Scripted Comedy

Amandaland — Winner

Specialist Factual

Simon Schama: The Road to Auschwitz — Winner

Reality

The Celebrity Traitors — Winner

Current Affairs

Gaza: Doctors Under Attack — Winner

Shortform

Hustle and Run — Winner

Factual Entertainment

Go Back to Where You Came From — Winner

Factual Series

See No Evil — Winner

Live Event Coverage

VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember — Winner

News Coverage

Channel 4 News: Israel-Iran: The Twelve Day War — Winner

Single Documentary

Grenfell: Uncovered — Winner

Soap

EastEnders — Winner

Sports Coverage

UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 — Winner

Daytime

Scam Interceptors — Winner

Children’s Non-Scripted

World.War.Me — Winner

Children’s Scripted

Crongton — Winner

Memorable Moment

The Celebrity Traitors — Alan Carr wins — Winner

English TV Show 2023 South Park Latest Updates

 

Latest Updates:

• 
  
  Last summer, Comedy Central celebrated the silver anniversary of cable's longest-running scripted series with 'South Park: The 25th Anniversary Concert'.
• Filmed at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, the concert premiered on August 13, 2022, twenty-five years from the day the series premiered on Comedy Central. It starred Park and Stone, Primus and Ween with a special appearance by members of the band, Rush, reported a portal.
• Parker and Stone's massive deal with Entertainment Studios includes extending 'South Park' on Comedy Central through 2027 and taking the series through an unprecedented 30th season.

Crew:

• As per a portal, 'South Park' is executive produced by co-creators Parker and Stone along with Anne Garefino and Frank C. Agnone II. Eric Stough, Adrien Beard, Bruce Howell, Jack Shia, Vernon Chatman, Daryl Sancton, Giancarlo Ganziano and John Hansen among others. Chris Brion is the Creative Director of South Park Digital Studios. (ANI)

TV series 'Harry Potter' Latest Updates, New Star Cast, New Story

 

Latest Updates:

• 'Harry Potter' TV series maybe coming soon, says Channing Dungey
• TV CEO Channing Dungey has shared that a TV series based on the mega-popular book and film series 'Harry Potter' may be coming soon.
• "There is a tremendous amount of ambition for that,"TV CEO said, adding, "and we are engaged in a number of different conversations," reports a portal.
• "I wish I could tell you that something was imminent on the horizon but there is a lot of interest and a lot of passion for it," she continued. "What's great is that you see how the audience is so engaged and so ready."
• However, Dungey stated she's optimistic about what the future holds, insisting: "We're just trying to figure out what the right next step is."
• Last year which includes networks has started dipping their toes into Harry Potter content.

About the Show:

• 
  
  In November 2021 aired 'Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses', a four-part quiz hosted by Helen Mirren which featured appearances from Harry Potter favourites like Matthew Lewis, Tom Felton and Luke Youngblood.

New Star Cast:

• The portal then premiered 'Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts' on New Year's Day 2022, which featured a reunion of numerous actors from the film series including stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.
• On the film side of things, the universe has continued with the Fantastic Beasts series, most recently marked by 2022's 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'.
  

Full Details - Surviving Earth

 

Latest Update:

• NBC orders prehistoric documentary series 'Surviving Earth'
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) has ordered eight episodes of ‘Surviving Earth,’ an unscripted series about how life not only survived but thrived during the catastrophic events of the prehistoric era.
  
• The series aims to find the lessons that can be learned from past mass extinctions.
  

All Episodes:

• 
  
  Each hour-long episode will use digital technology to visualize prehistoric landscapes and events including meteor falls, eruptions of supervolcanoes, boiling seas and moving land, as per Variety.
• “This epic event series promises to be unlike anything we’ve seen before, with state-of-the-art technology recreating an immersive view of prehistoric Earth. With a project of this magnitude, we’re in excellent hands with Universal Television Alternative Studio and Loud Minds on board bringing it to life,” said Rod Aissa, executive vice president of unscripted content at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.
• Toby Gorman said, “This documentary series brings to life the rich history of our planet to shed light on its future. It’s a thrill to tap into the latest technology while diving into Earth’s prehistoric past alongside our partners at Loud Minds. We’re excited to bring this unparalleled project to NBC.”
• “In an age when there is so much concern about our changing climate, if we want to know our future we have to understand our past. We’re delighted to bring to NBC this spectacular story that celebrates the power of life on our ever-changing Earth,” added Tim Haines.
  

Life After MasterChef Andy Allen (MasterChef Australia Winner)

 

Latest Update:

• Former 'MasterChef' winner, season 14 judge Andy Allen talks about his journey so far

Winner of Masterchef Australia:

• 
  
  Andy Allen, who won the fourth season of 'Masterchef Australia', is back on the show 'MasterChef Australia: Fans & Favourites' this time seated on the judge's chair.
• The culinary artiste recently looked back at his journey from winning the show to judging the new talents' skills at work.
  

Post Winning Interview:

• He calls his journey "pretty wild" as he says, "Winning the competition was actually a big surprise. I didn't know what to do with the win."
• Andy, who was one exam away from becoming an electrician, headed to 'Masterchef Australia 4' where he met guests chefs Mark Labrooy and Darren Robertson and with them, he took a role down at Three Blue Ducks Pop Up at Falls Creek in 2013.
• Recollecting the events after season 4, Allen shares, "But then I was lucky enough to link up with the guys from the Three Blue Ducks (Australian) which gave me a pathway in the industry - and that then ultimately led to me being asked back as a judge in the current format."
  

New Season:

• The new season brings back 12 popular contestants including a few season winners from previous editions like Julie Goodwin, Sashi Cheliah, Billie McKay, Minoli De Silva, Tommy Pham, Alvin Quah, Michael Weldon, Mindy Woods, Christina Batista, Sarah Todd, John Carasig and Aldo Ortado, where they compete against each other for the prize money of 250,000 dollars.

About the Show:

• One would wonder how MasterChef Australia would engage the audience in terms of entertainment and imparting knowledge on new skills. Well Andy has a straight up answer in his sleeve, "I think having 12 favourites back immediately gives it entertainment value. They've been there before, people know them and love them, and now they have to really show off their industry skills against 12 unbelievably good home cooks - the fans."
• For him the artistic expression in food begins with the flavour as he says, "It's all about flavour. You can have all the bells and whistles but if an artistic creation doesn't taste good, it's lost."
  

2022: English TV Show Grey's Anatomy - Latest Updates, New Star Cast, New Story

 

Latest Update:

• Ellen Pompeo's 'Grey's Anatomy' renewed for season 19

About the Show:

• 'Grey's Anatomy', the longest-running primetime medical drama in television history, has been renewed for its 19th season, with lead star Ellen Pompeo set to return as Meredith Grey.
• As per a magazine, on Monday, channel announced that the network has ordered season 19 of the iconic medical drama series.
  

Star Cast:

• 
  
  Apart from Pompeo, original cast members Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr. are also set to return for Season 19.
• In the upcoming season, the series will explore the ever-expanding world of modern medicine through the eyes of beloved returning and new characters.
• Pompeo, currently a co-executive producer, is being bumped to executive producer as of next season. ABC also announced that executive producer Krista Vernoff -- showrunner since Season 14 when creator Shonda Rhimes handed over its reins -- will continue to oversee the show.
• "Grey's Anatomy has a global impact that can't be overstated," Vernoff said. Vernoff added, "Grey's touches, and sometimes changes, hearts and minds worldwide through the depth of connection people feel with these characters. I'm excited to work with our extraordinary writers to dream up where we go from here, and I'm always grateful to our partners at Disney and ABC for letting us tell bold stories with real impact."
• Over the years, cast members came and went -- Pompeo, Wilson and Pickens Jr. are the only actors who remained on for all 18 seasons -- and the series made history as the longest-running medical drama on TV.

Telecast, Episodes:

• However, in recent months, Pompeo has been vocal about the possibility of 'Grey's Anatomy' coming to an end. In September, the actor told Entertainment Tonight that she's been "trying to get away for years."
• "It's not because I haven't been trying," she said of leaving Meredith Grey behind. "I have strong relationships at the network and they have been very, very good to me, and have incentivized me to stay."
• Pompeo, who serves as a producer on the show, also told a portal in 2020 that it would likely end when she leaves. "I don't take the decision lightly," she said at the time. "We employ a lot of people, and we have a huge platform. And I'm very grateful for it."
• 'Grey's Anatomy' stars Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Wilson as Miranda Bailey, Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber, Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt, Kim Raver as Teddy Altman, Camilla Luddington as Jo Wilson, Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd, Kelly McCreary as Maggie Pierce, Chris Carmack as Atticus "Link" Lincoln, Jake Borelli as Levi Schmitt, Richard Flood as Cormac Hayes and Anthony Hill as Winston Ndugu.
• The series is executive produced by Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Vernoff, Debbie Allen, Meg Marinis and Mark Gordon, and Pompeo for Season 19.
  

2022 The White Lotus Season 2 - Latest Updates, Episodes, News Star Cast

 

Latest Updates:

• Michael Imperioli, best known for starring as Christopher Moltisanti in 'The Sopranos', is all set to star in Season 2 of 'The White Lotus'.
• According to a portal, Imperioli will play Dominic Di Grasso, who travels to the White Lotus resort with his elderly father and son, a recent college graduate.

New Star Cast:

• Imperioli is the first cast member the channel has confirmed as a part of Season 2. However, it was reported in October that Jennifer Coolidge had joined that cast after starring in Season 1. The channel declined to comment at the time.

All Seasons:

• 
  
  The series premiered in July 2021. The first season, set at the fictional White Lotus resort in Hawaii, follows a group of visitors with seemingly perfect lives over six episodes. Along with Coolidge, stars include Connie Britton, Natasha Rothwell, Steve Zahn, Murray Barlett, Alexandra Daddario, Fred Hechinger, Jake Lacy, Sydney Sweeney and Brittany O'Grady.
• 'The White Lotus' was an immediate hit for the channel and continued to succeed throughout the season, drawing 1.9 million viewers with its final episode. It was a critical success as well, garnering wide acclaim.
• Imperioli's most recent credits include reprising his 'Sopranos' role in Alan Taylor's film 'The Many Saints of Newark', as well as playing the recurring role of Robert Lewis in 'Blue Bloods' and Angelo Dundee in Regina King's film 'One Night in Miami'. Up next, he will appear in Hulu's 'This Fool'. (ANI)
  

2022: English TV Show Saturday Night Live - Latest Updates, Guests

 

Latest Update:

• Today Episode:
• 'SNL' to return with Ariana DeBose as host, Roddy Ricch as musical guest.
• For the January 15 show, all 'SNL' audience members are required to show proof of vaccination and wear a mask at all times during taping. A portal confirmed that 'SNL' will air new shows on January 22 and January 29, with hosts and musical guests for those episodes to be announced at a later date.
  

About the Show:

• 
  
  The channel's late-night comedy show 'Saturday Night Live' is returning on January 15 with 'West Side Story' star Ariana DeBose as host and pop star Roddy Ricch set as musical guest.
• According to a portal, the plan for the January 15 show is to be back with a full cast and crew as well as studio audience, but there is a chance that plans could change before the airdate due to the Omicron surge.

All Season Episodes:

• The final episode of 2021, which was hosted by Paul Rudd, had to cut its audience and much of its cast members at the last minute out of an "abundance of caution" amid the surge in the omicron variant of COVID-19.
  
• The December 18 special episode's planned musical guest Charli XCX did not perform, as well.
  

His Dark Materials Season 3 Latest Update, New Star Cast, New Story, Episodes

 

Latest Updates:

• Sian Clifford, Jonathan Aris board 'His Dark Materials' season 3

Star Cast:

• 
  
  "Fleabag" star Sian Clifford and "Sherlock" actor Jonathan Aris are the latest additions to the cast of the third and final season of "His Dark Materials".
  
• According to a portal, the duo will play Agent Salmakia and Commander Roke, respectively, both 'Gallivespian Spies' in the fantasy series based on Philip Pullman's book series.
• The returning cast also includes Ruth Wilson, Simone Kirby, Will Keen, Jade Anouka, Ruta Gedminstas and James McAvoy. 
• Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Jamie Ward have joined season three as new entries.
  
• Bad Wolf produces the series in association with New Line Cinema. Production on season three of the fantasy drama began earlier this year in the UK

New Story:

• The new season will be based on "The Amber Spyglass", the most complex and ambitious of Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy of novels, as Lyra (Dafne Keen) and Will (Amir Wilson) travel through different worlds to find each other.

About:

• In Pullman's books, Gallivespians are described as tiny humanoids who evolved in their native universe's earth.
• The author writes: "He was striking to look at: he was no taller than Lord Asriel's hand span, and as slender as a dragonfly, but the rest of Lord Asriel's captains treated him with profound respect, for he was armed with a poisonous sting in the spurs on his heels.
• "He and his kind, the Gallivespians, had few of the qualities of good spies except, of course, their exceptional smallness: they were so proud and touchy that they would never have remained inconspicuous if they had been of Lord Asriel's size."