It’s time to start dancing – Strictly’s back. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe take the helm, as a brand-new year in the ballroom begins. The show opens in spectacular style, with an incredible performance from the entire Strictly cast. Fifteen celebrities nervously wait to find out their professional partners and this year – there’s a twist. Five new Pros make their entrance on the dancefloor and reigning champion, Karen Carney returns for an epic performance. Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke return to the judging panel to keep a watchful eye over proceedings before the competition officially kicks off next Saturday.
Here’s what Will Best had to say about competing in this year’s series…
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I’m actually most looking forward to the training. I think that I will enjoy that bit of it the most, and meeting everybody else. I’m obviously most terrified about the live Saturday nights and sitting in the makeup chair for that long, I’m not very good at that! I’m going to try my best and work on my patience.
Do you have a signature dance move?
All I’ve done on dance floors for the past 25 years is put my right arm up and point it in the air! [laughs]
If you could perform any iconic Strictly routine from past series, which would it be?
I’ve always gravitated towards something Latin. I’ve got to say I thought Balvinder and Julian’s Paso Doble last year was brilliant.
How did your family and friends react when you told them?
They’re so excited, even more excited than me! I think they’ve always wanted me to do it so they are beside themselves, especially my children.
Is there anyone in particular – whether family or friend – who you’re doing Strictly for?
It’s mainly for myself and my children. I want to show them that you can do anything if you’re brave and you work hard.
What are you hoping to get out of the experience?
Just to have a good time. I think it is such a lovely experience that not many people get the opportunity to do. So, I’ve got to really enjoy it because it is a once in a lifetime thing.
What would be your dream song to dance to?
I’m actually terrible with music. I’ve normally got the wrong words and I have no idea who sang it. But, my daughter’s favourite song is ‘Ordinary’ by Alex Warren, so she really wants me to do a dance to that. And my son’s favourite is a song from Minions, so you never know it might be that for Movie Week!
Have you met any of your fellow Strictly 2026 alumni before?
I’ve met Dani and Jaime before, which is lovely because we’re sort of similar and we’re the same-ish ages. So, I’m looking forward to seeing them again and becoming a big family with everyone else.
Do you have any backstage rituals to get you in the zone?
Oh no. I’m one of those that just wings it and hopes for the best!
How would your family/friends describe your dancing skills?
Not great. I have zero dancing skills, so definitely room for improvement!
The nation has watched you grow up as the legendary Stacey Slater on EastEnders. Is there something you hope they’ll discover about you during your Strictly journey?
I think it would just be nice for people to maybe see me as me. You play the same character for 21 years, and there are obviously bits of me in Stacey, but we are so different. Hopefully on Strictly people will be able to separate me from the character and learn more about me.
Will Best
How do you feel about joining the Strictly class of 2026?
It’s a dream come true! My main feelings are a mixture of delirious excitement, and terror, and I think that’s healthy [laughs]. It still feels surreal and I can’t quite picture myself on the show – it seems crazy that I’m going to be doing the thing that I’ve watched so many other people do for so long. And when I do imagine doing it, my knees go a bit wobbly.
What made you say yes to Strictly?
The thing that always blows my mind is watching people who’ve never danced before put on some of the most unbelievable displays of dancing prowess. To just be in the ballroom on that dance floor, I jumped at the chance because I love the show – and I love music, which is such a huge part of it. The thought that I might learn even a tenth of the moves that people seem to be able to learn after a few weeks of the show, and to think that I could hold my own in any dance-off in a club, is amazing.
What are you most looking forward to, and what are you most nervous about?
I’m specifically nervous about remembering the routines. It’s not that I’m particularly nervous about the movement, although I am obviously nervous about that, it’s the fear of getting lost on the dancefloor and not knowing what my legs are supposed to do next. There is a reason why I don’t do TikTok dances on my feed, and it’s mainly because they take me about a week to learn! [laughs]. I am probably most excited about the feeling that will come after having done my first dance and it’s gone well, but I don’t know if that’s going to happen so that’s kind of maybe wishful thinking… Also, wearing some low-cut shirts!
Do you have a signature dance move?
I do this thing that is slightly hard to describe. I drop to my knee, down into a very low squat, and then I spring up again whilst alternately kicking my legs. I guess you could describe it as a kind of Cossack-inspired breakdancing move. Which gets harder and harder the older my knees get, and it doesn’t look as impressive as it feels!
If you could perform any iconic Strictly routine from past series, which would it be?
Probably Fleur East and Vito when they did the Destiny’s Child Mega Mix, which was their first perfect score of 40 – and at Blackpool no less. If you’re going to pull out a 40 pointer, that’s the time to do it!
How did your family and friends react when you told them?
My mum cried, which is very sweet. She’s a big fan of the show. Everyone else was just very, very excited, but Mum shedding a few tears was probably the highlight.
Is there anyone in particular – whether family or friend – who you’re doing Strictly for?
It would have to be my mum. When I first got into telly, I think it’s been my mum’s ambition for me. When I got my first big proper telly gig, my Mum was like, “oh my god, does this mean you might be able to do Strictly?”. So, this has been on her mood board for about 15 years.
What are you hoping to get out of the experience?
Besides some dance moves, my friends that have done the show like Fleur [East] and AJ [Odudu], are still good mates with people that they did the show with. It’s probably that, and it sounds really pathetic doesn’t it, but making friends! [laughs].
What would be your dream song to dance to?
I interviewed Sam Smith on the radio recently, and they have a new single out called ‘My Guy’, and in the studio we said this would be an incredible song for a waltz. I told them that because they love Strictly, and I said to them that I would dance to the song. They said, “please dance to it and I’ll come sing it”! Which obviously can’t happen because that would be very unfair [laughs].
Have you met any of your fellow Strictly 2026 alumni before?
I’ve met Dani Dyer, but I haven’t seen her since I chose her dad as my specialist subject on Mastermind, so I don’t know whether she is going to be freaked out by me and I’m slightly embarrassed. I chose him because he’s a national treasure. I’ve always thought it would be fun to be mates with him, but in hindsight, I don’t know whether basically telling somebody that you’re an obsessive fan is the best way to spark a lasting friendship.
Do you have any backstage rituals to get you in the zone?
Before every live Big Brother show, I have one small beer, a cola, and a water – separately! I basically have 3 drinks and it’s always quite difficult to hold them all. But I probably shouldn’t have the cola just before dancing, because I don’t want to be, you know, gassy if I am very close to somebody else’s face… I also always give AJ a hug before going live, so it’s going to be so weird getting all spruced up in my Cuban heels and my low-cut shirts and not having AJ there to wave me off onto the stage!
How would your family/friends describe your dancing skills?
I’d say eccentric. I wouldn’t go as far as to say non-existent, but there’s room for improvement.
Which Strictly judge, pro or fellow competitor would you most want to be trapped in the Big Brother house with and why?
I think Craig would be like the perfect Big Brother housemate. I’ve only met him to interview him, but he’s very funny and he doesn’t care what other people think. He has a hard, cutting exterior, but actually he’s a big softy on the inside, so you would get a real character arc. He’d go in as the slightly grumpy, prickly character, and then he’d come out as a big loveable mushy mess, and it would be great.
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