YouTuber John Nellis is the fourteenth celebrity announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 is coming! The hotly anticipated new series will light up Saturday and Sunday nights this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with Youtube and Content Creator John Nellis, joining the celebrity cast of 2026.

The news was announced on Tuesday 11 August via @bbcstrictly’s official social channels on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.

John Nellis is one of the UK’s biggest sports content creators, with a combined audience of more than 20 million followers across social media. Known for his entertaining football content, his videos have amassed billions of views and featured some of the biggest names in world sport, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Originally from Newcastle in County Down, John left his job as an air traffic controller to pursue content creation full-time. Since then, he has become one of the leading creators in the sports space, winning Sport Creator of the Year at the 2024 TikTok Awards UK & Ireland.

John’s content has taken him around the world, covering major sporting events and collaborating with some of the biggest names in sport. Most recently, he teamed up with Erling Haaland, with content from the collaboration amassing more than 60 million views across social media.

John Nellis says: “I'm still in disbelief that I've been selected for Strictly and, if I'm honest, I'm a little nervous as I've never danced before! It's such an incredible opportunity, and I'm going to throw myself into every moment. I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!”

John joins Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Graeme Hall, Laurence Robb and Tabby Stoecker in the 2026 Strictly Come Dancing line-up. Further news will be revealed throughout the summer ahead of the brand-new series getting underway on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September. Viewers can add the show to their watchlist on BBC iPlayer now.

Strictly Come Dancing is a BBC Studios Entertainment production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

For all the latest breaking news from the ballroom check out our Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Everything You Need to Know guide.

LW

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