First 4 stars set for Strictly Come Dancing next BBC series

She is the first contestant to be confirmed for the upcoming season. <i>(Image: BBC)</i>
She is the first contestant to be confirmed for the upcoming season. (Image: BBC)
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The first four stars have been revealed for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing.

EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, Love Island winner Dani Dyer, Australian singer Delta Goodrem, and celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton will take to the floor when the BBC One series returns.

Ms Turner, 38, is best known for playing Stacey Slater on EastEnders.

She said: "I am so excited and so 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."

Born in Edgware, Ms Turner has also appeared in BBC One dramas including True Love and Call the Midwife, and played Molly Dawes in military series Our Girl.

She is the first contestant to be confirmed for the upcoming season.

Joining her will be Dani Dyer, the 29-year-old reality TV star who won Love Island in 2018.

Last year, Ms Dyer was forced to withdraw from Strictly before the series began due to injury, but the BBC has given her another chance to compete.

She 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."

Ms Dyer is also known for appearing on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, co-starring with her father Danny Dyer on The Dyers’ Caravan Park, and making guest appearances on EastEnders, Celebrity MasterChef, and Celebrity Gogglebox.

Delta Goodrem, the 41-year-old singer and actress who recently represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest, will also compete in the new series.

Ms Goodrem said: "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."

Ms Goodrem rose to fame playing Nina Tucker in the Australian soap Neighbours from 2002 to 2003 and has released five number one albums in Australia.

She has also served as a coach on The Voice Australia.

Rounding out the first batch of announcements is Chris Appleton, a British hair stylist who has worked with celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Sofia Vergara and Ariana Grande.

Mr Appleton said: "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."

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