Denise Welch has sparked fresh speculation that she could be heading for the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom after giving a very telling response when asked about this year’s series.
The 2026 celebrity line-up has not yet been officially announced, but rumours are already building as fans wait to see who will take part in the BBC show’s new era.
Denise, best known for her work on Loose Women, was recently asked whether she was in talks to join Strictly. Instead of denying it, she gave a teasing reply, saying: “I’m pleading the fifth on that one. Bye!”
Her answer has only fuelled excitement among viewers, especially as Strictly has often looked to the Loose Women panel for contestants in the past. Stars including Kaye Adams, Ruth Langsford and Judi Love have all previously swapped the ITV studio for the dancefloor.
Despite the speculation, Denise has made it clear that acting remains her main focus, with several projects already lined up. She described the months ahead as “exciting”, but stopped short of confirming whether Strictly is part of her plans.
The rumours come at a major turning point for the long-running BBC favourite. Earlier this month, Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe were confirmed as the show’s new presenting team.
They will replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down after years fronting the programme. Their departure marked one of the biggest changes in Strictly’s history.
Emma admitted she was overwhelmed by the opportunity, saying she had watched and loved the show for years. She also paid tribute to Tess and Claudia, calling them two iconic women who had been at the heart of Strictly for so long.
Josh, who previously appeared on the 2024 Christmas special, said he was “giddy with excitement” to take on the role, while Johannes described the chance to host as something beyond anything he had imagined.
With a new presenting line-up already confirmed and the celebrity contestants still under wraps, Denise’s cryptic comment has left fans wondering whether she could be one of the first big names preparing to take to the ballroom.
For now, nothing has been officially confirmed — but her playful response has certainly kept the Strictly rumour mill spinning.
