Could Denise Welch be stepping into the glittering Strictly Come Dancing ballroom this year? The 64-year-old actress and former Loose Women star has left fans buzzing with excitement after hinting she might be in talks to join the 2026 celebrity line-up.
Speaking to The Sun, Denise playfully dodged the question, saying: âIâm pleading the fifth on that one. Bye!â 
 Her tease is enough to spark speculation, especially given Strictlyâs history of casting Loose Women favourites like Kaye Adams, Ruth Langsford, and Judi Love.
Even with the Strictly rumours swirling, Denise reassured fans that her focus remains on acting, with several upcoming projects she described as âexciting.â Meanwhile, the BBC has yet to reveal the full 2026 celebrity roster, keeping the anticipation high.
A Brand-New Hosting Line-Up
Adding to the Strictly shake-up, this year will also see a fresh trio of hosts: Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe, and comedian Josh Widdicombe. They are taking over from iconic presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down last year after a thorough audition process.
Denise Welch has âdropped a huge hint that sheâs in talks for this yearâs Strictly Come Dancingâ
Strictly often casts people from the ITV talk show Loose Women , including past contestants like Kaye Adams , Ruth Langsford , and Judi Love
The new team was officially announced on Strictlyâs Instagram, with Emma and Johannes cheekily kissing each other on the cheek before Josh joined them. Emma shared her excitement, saying: âItâs impossible to fill the shoes of Tess and Claudia⊠but I canât wait to spend my weekends with Josh, Jojo, the dancers, and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!â
Josh, who previously appeared as a contestant on the 2024 Christmas special, admitted heâs âgiddy with excitementâ and joked about dusting off his famous penguin costume from the show. Meanwhile, Johannes described hosting Strictly as âbeyond anything I ever imagined,â promising sequins, nerves, and all.
With Denise teasing a possible Strictly stint and a fresh hosting line-up bringing new energy to the ballroom, fans can expect a thrilling, unpredictable series come September 2026. Could Denise be the next star to dance her way into viewersâ hearts? Only time will tellâŠÂ 
