Who Is Lacey Turner’s Strictly Partner Vito Coppola? Their 2026 Pairing Explained

Lacey Turner entered Strictly Come Dancing 2026 admitting that nerves were one of her biggest obstacles, but the launch show gave the EastEnders star exactly what she needed: a professional partner she immediately felt comfortable standing beside. Lacey was paired with Vito Coppola, one of Strictly’s most successful current professionals, and their contrasting personalities have already made them one of the more interesting partnerships of the new season.

The pairing also looks strong on paper. Lacey brings years of acting experience and an ability to create characters, while Vito has already reached three Strictly finals and knows how to guide celebrities through the technical and performance sides of the competition.

Related: Why Are Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin Paired Again on Strictly 2026?

Lacey Turner Is Dancing With Vito Coppola on Strictly 2026

Lacey and Vito were matched during the new launch-show pairing format, which had celebrities rotate between several professionals before discovering who would become their permanent partner.

Lacey had been visibly nervous before the reveal, but afterward said she felt “amazing” and joked that being selected early meant she had escaped some of the longer pairing dance. More importantly, she said her nerves started disappearing once she finally had someone standing next to her.

Vito appeared equally happy with the result. He told Lacey to prepare for plenty of dancing but also promised that their training partnership would include plenty of food, saying he intended to cook for her between rehearsals.

That lighthearted exchange immediately gave viewers a glimpse of how their dynamic may work. Lacey has described herself as nervous about performing, while Vito’s energetic personality could help pull her out of that hesitation once training becomes more intense.

Who Is Vito Coppola?

Vito Coppola is an Italian professional dancer who joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022. He quickly established himself as one of the show’s strongest competitive professionals and has made the final three times since joining.

His most successful Strictly partnership came with Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach, with whom he won the Glitterball Trophy in 2023. Before arriving on the BBC series, Vito also won the Italian version of Dancing with the Stars with singer Arisa in 2021.

That experience could be particularly useful for Lacey. Vito has already shown that he can work with performers whose main background is acting rather than dance, while also building routines that allow their personality to become part of the performance.

Why Lacey Turner Finally Said Yes to Strictly

Lacey has been associated with EastEnders for more than two decades after joining the BBC soap as Stacey Slater in 2004. Despite being a longtime Strictly viewer, she had repeatedly avoided becoming a contestant because she knew how physically demanding the experience could be.

Ahead of the 2026 series, Lacey explained that she had always wanted to take part but had never felt brave enough. With time away from EastEnders giving her a rare opening in her schedule, she finally decided it was the right moment to try.

She also admitted she was terrified about actually stepping onto the ballroom floor. Her approach is to use her acting background and create a character for each Saturday night performance, giving herself something to play rather than simply thinking about herself being watched.

That could turn into one of her biggest advantages. Strictly is not only about footwork, and contestants who can sell the story of a Tango, Paso Doble or dramatic ballroom routine often benefit from strong acting instincts.

Fans Were Already Hoping for Lacey and Vito

Interestingly, Lacey and Vito were being suggested as a potential partnership months before the launch show confirmed it. Strictly fans discussing possible pairings repeatedly put the two together, partly because their personalities appear so different.

The early fan reaction after the launch has continued in that direction. Some viewers have described Lacey as quieter and more reserved while seeing Vito as energetic and outgoing, suggesting that the contrast could make the partnership entertaining if they develop the right chemistry.

Lacey has already been mentioned among the celebrities generating notable early interest from the 2026 cast, even before anyone has performed a fully scored routine.

Could Lacey and Vito Be a Strong Strictly Pair?

The launch show does not tell us much about their competitive level because the celebrities only perform as part of the pairing routines. Their first proper dance will therefore give a much clearer picture of Lacey’s natural ability.

What they already have is a useful combination. Lacey can bring character and storytelling from acting, while Vito has the experience of taking celebrities deep into the competition and shaping routines around their strengths.

For Lacey, simply finding out who her partner was already removed some of the anxiety surrounding Strictly. The next challenge is whether Vito can turn that comfort into confidence once the judging starts.