Dame Sarah Storey will join the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing as a celebrity contestant [1].
The move brings one of Great Britain's most successful athletes to the ballroom, marking a high-profile transition from elite sport to entertainment. Storey's participation highlights the show's continued focus on diverse casting and the inclusion of legendary figures from the sporting world.
Storey, 48, is a 19-time Paralympic champion [1]. After retiring from competitive sports, she said the role is a new challenge [2].
"I can’t wait to get started on the dancefloor," Storey said [1].
She is the seventh celebrity contestant announced for the upcoming season [4]. The series is scheduled to begin in September 2026 [3].
The competition takes place at the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing studio in London [3]. Storey will be paired with a professional dancer to compete in various styles of ballroom and Latin dance over several weeks.
As the most successful Paralympian in British history, Storey's entry into the competition is expected to draw significant viewership. The program frequently pairs athletes with professional partners to test their agility and discipline in a non-sporting environment, a transition Storey is now undertaking after her storied career in cycling and swimming.
“I can’t wait to get started on the dancefloor.”
The inclusion of Dame Sarah Storey reflects a broader trend of integrating legendary disabled athletes into mainstream entertainment. By transitioning from a career of unprecedented Paralympic success to a public learning experience on a hit reality show, Storey increases the visibility of adaptive athletics and challenges traditional perceptions of retirement for elite athletes.
