Olympic gold medalist Tabby Stoecker faces a unique challenge on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Learning a high-energy samba leaves the British skeleton athlete feeling uncharacteristically exposed. The 25-year-old sports star prepares for Saturday night’s Icons Week performance with professional partner Mark Karmalita, 22. She continues adjusting to the intense physical and emotional demands of competitive ballroom dancing.
For Icons Week, the pair performs a vibrant Latin routine inspired by Grammy-winning singer RAYE and her viral hit “Where Is My Husband!”. Their upcoming appearance follows a dramatic Argentine tango that earned them joint-second place on the leaderboard with 31 points the previous week. This marks a steady rise after a modest opening week start.
Confronting Embarrassment and Vulnerability in the Training Room
Stoecker hurls down an icy skeleton track at speeds exceeding 80mph without fear. However, she told the Mirror during training that the dance studio brings a different brand of anxiety. She thoroughly enjoys the experience, but she confesses that high-energy dances require an entirely different physical language.
"I’m loving it. How can you not? I’m on Strictly, it’s so much fun, but of course it’s hard," Stoecker shared. "It is challenging. You are pushing yourself, and a lot of the time I’m tired and feeling a bit vulnerable and embarrassed trying to shake it in a dance studio."
She works actively to quiet her inner critic. "I’m really having to get out of my head and try and go through the process of dancing and let it be this joyful thing rather than get too bogged down in all the steps and the pressure. I think for me personally, I always find dances where you have to really give a lot of energy a bit more challenging because that’s not what I’m used to."
Building Confidence Beyond the Skeleton Track
Stoecker noted that participating in the BBC competition helps her overcome impostor syndrome. It also lets her embrace new aspects of her personality. Elite skeleton racing relies on precision and solitary focus, but ballroom dancing offers nowhere to hide.
"I’m learning how to be more comfortable in my own skin, and dancing helps with that because you’re standing in front of a mirror. There’s nowhere to hide," she explained. "You have to give it everything, and you also have to be comfortable failing and looking silly and feeling embarrassed and doing things anyway. I think I’m used to confronting fear, but not confronting embarrassment and doing something silly."
Family and friends enthusiastically support her journey. Many express surprise at the fresh confidence she exhibits on screen compared to her reserved athletic persona. Her niece and nephew even take an interest in learning to dance after watching her performances.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Journey So Far
- Week 1: Jive to “Animal” by KATSEYE – 22 points
- Week 2: American Smooth – 28 points
- Week 3: Argentine Tango – 31 points (Joint-second on the leaderboard)
Looking Ahead to Icons Week and Beyond
As the competition progresses, Stoecker focuses on mastering the samba alongside Mark Karmalita, one of the show’s new professional dancers this season. She continues to push boundaries in the ballroom, having previously thrilled audiences with an aerial hoop stunt in week two. She also maintains an eye on her long-term athletic future.
Stoecker secured historic gold alongside Matt Weston at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Now, she views her time on Strictly Come Dancing as a liberating detour before she potentially sets her sights on the 2030 Winter Olympics. For now, her immediate mission is winning over the judges and public with a memorable Icons Week routine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tabby Stoecker
Who is Tabby Stoecker?
Tabby Stoecker is a British skeleton racer, World Cup winner, and Olympic champion who won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina alongside teammate Matt Weston. Aged 25, she competes on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Who is Tabby Stoecker’s Strictly Come Dancing partner?
Tabby partners with professional dancer Mark Karmalita, who joined the BBC show’s professional lineup as a newcomer.
What dances has Tabby performed on Strictly so far?
Tabby performed a Jive in Week 1, an American Smooth in Week 2, and an Argentine Tango in Week 3. She steadily climbed the leaderboard to a joint-second finish with 31 points in her third week.
What is Tabby Stoecker’s background before skeleton?
Before discovering skeleton through the “Discover Your Gold” talent identification programme, Tabby was a British Schools Gymnastics Champion. She also trained extensively in circus arts, trapeze, and juggling at the National Centre for Circus Arts in London.
Does Tabby plan to return to skeleton after Strictly?
Yes. Stoecker confirmed that skeleton remains her primary sport and true love. She has potential plans to compete at the 2030 Winter Olympics after completing her time on the dance show.
