Amy Dowden has teased her 2026 Strictly partner and says “I’m so grateful, and I’m so, so happy.”
Amy says that she can’t wait ‘not to have to keep it a secret’(Image: Lia Toby/Getty Images)
We are just days away from the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 launch show, and fans are absolutely buzzing. This year’s show will kick off on Saturday, September 19 and has seen some major following last year’s announcement that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman would be stepping down as the hosts.
Since then the BBC have announced a series of changes including three new hosts, new dancers and of course this year’s Strictly celeb line-up.
Taking to the dance floor this year will be Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey, Lawrence Robb, John Nellis, Bethany Antonia, Melanie Walters, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Jaime Winstone, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tabby Stoecker, and Graeme’ The Dogfather’ Hall.
Like previous years many fans are attempting to predict which dancers will be paired with which celebrities, and some have even been discussing a “leaked” list of pairings. saying “it’s awful.”
Amy Dowden has since teased her 2026 Strictly partner and says “I’m so grateful, and I’m so, so happy.” For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
In a video posted to her Instagram story on Monday, September 14 she said: “On my way home after my first day of rehearsals with my celebrity partner, and I am buzzing!
“I am so happy, honestly. They’ve done so well, but it was just… the vibes, the energy in the training room. I’m smiling!
“The day went way too fast. Both of us were like, ‘What? Is it over already?’ Like, I cannot wait to get back in the studio tomorrow. I just can’t wait not to have to keep it a secret. Honestly, I’m so grateful, and I’m so, so happy.
“I don’t think I’m going to sleep again tonight! Just too excited!”
She later followed up with another story, this time a selfie in the studio mirror where she captioned it “What a day” with three smiley face emojis.
On Saturday, September 5, the dancer shared a funny Instagram video where her and fellow Strictly pro Dianne Buswell were trying to guess this year’s pairings during rehearsal breaks.
Fans also expressed their excitement to discover the pairs who are hoping to win this year’s glitterball trophy, with some predicting that Amy will be paired with Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb.
One said: “Me too me too!!! I think you have Lawrence.”
Another agreed: “Amy & @lawrencejarobb would be amazing.”
A third said: “You would do well with any of them tbh.”
One fan even predicted further saying: “2026 is the year you get your glitterball… I can feel it.”
You can watch the Strictly Come Dancing launch show this Saturday, September 19 from 7.25pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
