Chris Appleton is leaving the salon chair behind for a rather less predictable workplace: the BBC ballroom. The celebrity hairstylist has been confirmed as the fourth official contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2026, adding a dose of Hollywood-adjacent glamour to a series already heading into a major reset.
Appleton, 43, is best known for creating headline-making looks for Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Sofía Vergara, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry. That is a useful résumé if the task is making someone look camera-ready. Whether it helps with a cha-cha remains, regrettably for him, an entirely separate question.
Why Chris Appleton is a notable signing
Appleton’s name has long travelled far beyond hair and beauty circles. The British-born stylist, who is now a US citizen, has become one of the most recognisable figures behind modern celebrity image-making, especially through his work with Kardashian.
Their friendship has also become part of his public profile. Kardashian officiated Appleton’s 2023 wedding to actor Lukas Gage, where Shania Twain performed. Appleton and Gage separated several months later, but his connection with Kardashian has remained strong through years of collaboration and friendship.
Speaking on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast last August, Appleton said: “I have so much respect for her… the world sees one thing, they see Kim Kardashian. I don’t really see her like that; I see her as Kim.”
He added: “She is a mother, an amazing mother. She is a businesswoman,” while praising how welcoming she is to people around her.
So yes, the idea of a Kardashian appearing in the studio audience will now be floated repeatedly. Television producers have survived worse speculation.
What Appleton said about joining the BBC show
In a statement confirming his place in the line-up, Appleton said he was excited to return to the UK for the series.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience,” he said.
“I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story – and I can’t wait to get started.”
That last line may be the part viewers connect with most. Strictly tends to work best when contestants arrive with polish in one area and obvious vulnerability in another. Appleton is used to shaping the final image. On this show, he will have to live through the rehearsal footage first.
Who else is in the 2026 line-up so far
Appleton joins three previously confirmed names for the 2026 series:
- Lacey Turner, best known to many viewers as an EastEnders favourite
- Dani Dyer, who is returning to the public competition spotlight
- Delta Goodrem, the Australian singer and Eurovision star
More contestants are expected to be revealed across the summer before the show returns in the autumn.
Several other names are already being discussed around the remaining slots. The One Show presenter Roman Kemp has been linked after what some viewers interpreted as a revealing slip during an episode earlier this week. Paralympic athlete Dame Sarah Storey is also being tipped as a strong possibility.
Other rumoured names include Jeff Brazier, Josie Gibson and Jake Quickenden. As ever, some of these will be accurate, some will not, and everyone involved will pretend this is all very mysterious until the official announcement lands.
The series is entering a new era
The 2026 run will not just bring new contestants. It also marks a significant change at the top of the show.
Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and professional dancer Johannes Radebe are taking over hosting duties from Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, ending one of British TV’s most familiar presenting partnerships.
The judging panel is staying intact, with all four judges returning. The professional dancer line-up, however, is being reshaped more dramatically. Five pros have been dropped from the show, with new dancers expected to be announced in the next couple of months.
For a format built on tradition, that is a sizeable amount of change at once. Bringing in Appleton fits the moment: he has name recognition, celebrity connections and a public story that gives viewers a reason to pay attention before he has even attempted a single ballroom hold.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One this autumn.
