Who is Strictly 2026 star and vocal LGBTQ+ ally Jaime Winstone
Who is Strictly 2026 celeb Jaime Winstone? (Neil Mockford/Getty)
Jaime Winstone was the eighth celeb announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026, but who is the actor and LGBTQ+ ally?
The 41-year-old, who is the daughter of “hard man” actor Ray Winstone, has been acting professionally since 2004 and has appeared in a wide array of film and TV projects.
Winstone joins Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, and Dame Sarah Storey in the Strictly line-up.
Before she steps onto the dance floor, here’s everything you need to know about Jaime Winstone…
Is Jaime Winstone an LGBTQ+ ally?
Winstone continues to be a vocal LGBTQ+ ally, frequently showing up for the community through her appearances at queer events and her support of fundraising.
Last year she posted ahead of Pride Month: “Celebrating Queerness and its incredible worldwide community.
“This is not a phase, Queer has always been here and is not going anywhere.
“However the community needs support more than ever and I continue my Allyship with strength, love and joy.
“[Queer Was Always Here] have designed a new range of tees and hats for the launch party raising funds for [Choose Love]’s work with LGBT+ refugees.”
Was Jaime Winstone in EastEnders?
Yes, Winstone has appeared in EastEnders in 2022 and 2025 as a younger Peggy Mitchell.
She first appeared in 2022 in a flashback episode set in 1979 that explored the Mitchell family’s past.
Then, in 2025, she reprised her EastEnders role as Peggy in hallucinations experienced by character Phil Mitchell for the serial’s 40th anniversary week.
The episode won ‘Best Single Episode’ at the 2025 British Soap Awards.
Furthermore, in the 2017 BBC drama Babs, Winstone portrayed Barbara Windsor, who famously played Peggy.
What movies and TV has Jaime Winstone been in?
Winstone has appeared in 22 credited films, most notably Made in Dagenham, Love, Rosie, and Tomb Raider.
She has also appeared in several TV shows, including Mad Dogs, Five Daughters and Foyle’s War.
Additionally, Strictly will not be the first time the actor has appeared as a contestant on a reality show. In 2022, she appeared on The Masked Singer, finishing joint 7th/8th place with a double-elimination round.
Away from the screen, Jaime has enjoyed a successful modelling career, walking for the likes of Vivienne Westwood, and starred in the West End production of 2:22 A Ghost Story.
Who is Jaime Winstone’s husband?
Winstone has been in a relationship with James Suckling since 2015.
The pair got engaged in June 2022 during the Glastonbury Festivaland married in October 2023 in Sicily, Italy.
Winstone has one child with her husband, James. Their son, Raymond, was born in February 2016.
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