Delta Goodrem Requests Taller Partner Ahead of Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Delta Goodrem is officially set to grace the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom this September, but the Australian singer has one specific request for producers: she wants a partner who is taller than her.
In a recent interview, the 41-year-old "Born to Try" singer — who stands at 5 feet 10 inches — admitted she would "love to be" paired with someone taller because she "doesn't really want to be the one that has to lift people." While she expressed no preference regarding which professional dancer she is paired with, her request has narrowed the field to two likely candidates: Kai Widdrington and Aljaž Škorjanec, both of whom stand over six feet tall.
The new series of Strictly Come Dancing marks a significant transformation for the BBC show. Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe will take over hosting duties from longtime presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The judging panel, however, remains unchanged with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and Head Judge Shirley Ballas.
A Year of Saying Yes
For Goodrem, 2026 has been a whirlwind. After representing Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest in May — where she finished fourth — she has now turned her attention to the Strictly stage.
The former Neighbours star said she is "thrilled" to be adding the ballroom to the list of stages she has performed on throughout her career.
"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," she said. "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."
Goodrem has been in what she calls her "year of saying yes" — a period of adventure and new challenges that has included a series of live UK shows, her Eurovision appearance, and closing out the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow — just before beginning Strictly rehearsals in London. The Commonwealth Games finale marks another milestone in a busy summer for the singer, who will embark on a world tour next year in support of her forthcoming eighth album, Pure.
Strictly's New Era: Pro Lineup Shake-Up and Fresh Faces
The 2026 series brings significant changes behind the scenes. Five new professional dancers — Maddie Ingoldsby, Aleksandra Isaeva, Mark Karmalita, Lethabo Monametsi, and Cristian Priori — will join the lineup, replacing outgoing pros Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas.
Returning professionals include Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystal, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Vito Coppola, and last year's arrivals Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon.
Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will be without partners this series, leaving room for the new faces to step into the spotlight.
The revamped format aims to inject fresh energy into the beloved competition, with Goodrem's casting as one of the international headliners helping to raise the show's profile beyond UK borders.
The Celebrity Lineup So Far
Goodrem joins a growing list of celebrities confirmed for the new series. Recent announcements include former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, Dani Dyer, House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia, actress Jaime Winstone, Paralympian cyclist Dame Sarah Storey, TV presenter Will Best, reality star Cacheral Mercer, and hair stylist Chris Appleton.
Wright-Phillips, announced as the latest contestant, joked that "dancing is in my blood – but mainly at family events!" adding that Strictly is "definitely outside my comfort zone," but he is "super excited" for the challenge.
Antonia, known for her role in House of the Dragon, said she has "grown up watching Strictly" and is excited to "take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill."
Winstone, who portrayed Barbara Windsor in the biopic Babs, is ready to "enter her showgirl era" and get "super sparkly."
The full lineup is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, but the eclectic mix of athletes, actors, musicians, and television personalities suggests a dynamic and competitive season ahead.
A Personal Battle and a Comeback Story
Goodrem's journey to the Strictly stage has been anything but ordinary. In 2004, just as her debut album reached No. 2 in the UK charts, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma at just 18 years old. The diagnosis forced her off the promotion circuit and into treatment, effectively stalling a music career that had just begun.
"Cancer doesn't discriminate based on what job you're doing," she recalled. "It says, 'You have to look after this now.'"
Australia rallied around her — the prime minister sent his regards, as did Elton John "on behalf of the United Kingdom." Sony set up a "Get Well Delta" postbox to handle the influx of letters from fans. The experience, though harrowing, became a defining part of her resilience.
Now, two decades later, Goodrem is back on the UK stage, ready to take on a new challenge. Her return marks a full-circle moment for the singer who was once forced to leave the country at the height of her first UK breakthrough.
What This Means for the Show's Future
Goodrem's casting signals a more international and diverse approach to the Strictly lineup. Her Eurovision fame, combined with her strong following in Australia and the UK, brings fresh audiences to the show. Her public request for a taller partner also highlights how the show's behind-the-scenes casting decisions can generate buzz and fan speculation.
With the new hosting trio, a revamped pro lineup, and a celebrity mix that spans sports, music, and screen, Strictly 2026 is positioning itself as a must-watch event. The show returns to BBC One and iPlayer in September, promising a season of glitz, glamour, and unexpected twists — starting with who ultimately gets partnered with Delta Goodrem.
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