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Who is Melanie Walters? Meet Strictly Come Dancing 2026 contestant and actress
The Gavin & Stacey star is trading in Barry Island for the ballroom.
BBC/Guy Levy
- Tilly Pearce
Published: Friday, 9 October 2026 at 1:50 pm
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Melanie Walters is a familiar face to millions thanks to Gavin & Stacey, but now she's shown audiences a very different side to her on this year's Strictly Come Dancing. Though unfortunately, thing's aren't going very well.
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The Welsh actress started the series with a Cha Cha which earned her 15 points and followed up with a Waltz in Week 2 which scored 15 once again.
Her combined score of 30 points currently places her at the very bottom on the leaderboard, behind the likes of Will Best and Dame Sarah Storey.
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, who became the first celebrity to leave Strictly 2026 after the public vote, actually scored higher than Melanie with 33.
Speaking about taking part in the competition, she said: "This is so out of my comfort zone, completely and utterly, and I think the only way I'm gonna get through it, apart from being beautifully supported [by Aljaž], is I will have to have a character to go on stage with and stay in that character until I go home."
So who is Melanie Walters, and what can we expect as the Gavin & Stacey favourite takes to the Strictly dance floor once again? Here's everything you need to know about the Welsh actress.
Who is Melanie Walters?
Melanie Walters. BBC/Ray Burmiston/BBC Creative
Age: 64
Job: Actress
Instagram: @melaniewalters2025
Partner: Aljaž Škorjanec
Melanie Walters is an actress best known for her recurring role on BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey.
The actress has an impressive range of credits over several decades, with her television work including roles in Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Biff and Chip, and Doc Martin, while her film credits include Submarine, Resistance, High Tide and Save the Cinema.
On stage, she has appeared in productions such as The Importance of Being Earnest, Blood Brothers, Twelfth Night, Educating Rita and What’s New Pussycat?.
Melanie Walters's Strictly journey so far
Scoreboard
Week 1: Cha Cha (2 + 4 + 4 + 5) = 15
Week 2: Waltz (3 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 15) = 30
Who is Melanie Walters's dance partner on Strictly Come Dancing?
Melanie will be dancing with Strictly pro Aljaž Škorjanec. Since returning to the show in 2024, Aljaž has competed with Tasha Ghouri and La Voix.
What has Melanie Walters said about Strictly Come Dancing?
Melanie was the final contestant to complete this year's Strictly line-up, and shared her excitement about heading into the studio to perform.
"Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room," she said in a statement.
"This year I am completely thrilled and happy to swap my fairy wand for sequinned dance shoes. I just hope I don’t follow Cinderella and leave one on the ballroom stairs.
"I cannot wait to take part in this absolutely iconic show, it’s so exciting!"
Strictly Come Dancing begins on Saturday 26 September at 6:15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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Authors
Tilly PearceFreelance Writer
Tilly Pearce is a freelance TV journalist whose coverage ranges from reality shows like Love Is Blind to sci-fi shows like Fallout. She is an NCTJ Gold Standard accredited journalist, who has previously worked as Deputy TV Editor (maternity cover) at Digital Spy, and Deputy TV & Showbiz Editor at Daily Express US.
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