From the launch show to the line-up of celebs, here is everything you need to know about Strictly Come Dancing 2026.
Grab your dancing shoes and your glitzy outfits, because Strictly Come Dancing will soon be returning to our screens.(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/BBC Studios)
It’s that time of year again. Grab your dancing shoes and your glitzy outfits, because Strictly Come Dancing will soon be returning to our screens. The BBC has confirmed that we have just under two weeks until our weekends are once again filled with foxtrots, salsas and tangos.
Fans of the show can expect some major changes to this season following the show’s shake up. This includes new professional dancers and three new hosts who will be replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who departed the programme following the end of the 2025 series.
From the launch show to the line-up of celebs, here is everything you need to know about Strictly Come Dancing 2026. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
When is Strictly returning?
Last week, the BBC released the first teaser for Strictly 2026 and confirmed that this year’s launch show is just around the corner.
The series will return to our screens on at 7.25pm, Saturday, 19 September with their annual launch episode.
It is said to showcase more dancing than ever before, thanks to a fresh approach to pairing the 2026 celebrity participants with their professional dance partners.
In an unprecedented move, each celebrity and professional will discover their partner’s identity in front of the Strictly studio audience through three specially-choreographed group performances.
Strictly Come Dancing: The Launch Show will also give viewers exclusive behind-the-scenes access as the celebrities begin their dance training, plus the return of last year’s winner Karen Carney, who will reprise her iconic football jive with Carlos Gu.
Who are the hosts?
Strictly will see three new hosts take to the dancefloor as Emma Willis, Johannes Radbe and Josh Widdicombe will be taking over from Tess and Claudia.
Discussing Strictly’s new presenting lineup at Edinburgh TV Festival last month, Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips remarked: “They’re very excited. Johannes always cries every time you speak to him. I’m hoping they’re happy tears. He’s a lovely, emotional man, Johannes, and I think they were happy tears last week.”
Kate had previously stated: “Emma, Johannes and Josh’s chemistry is undeniable. There’s been so much speculation and hype, so I’m relieved we can share the news with the public at last!”.
Additionally, Fleur East and Janette Manrara have stepped down from hosting the spin-off show, Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. Replacing the duo will be presenter, comedian and former Strictly contestant Ellie Taylor.
While the presenting line-up may have altered, the judging panel stays unchanged, with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas all returning to cast their expert judgement over the celebrity contestants and their professional partners
Which celebrities are competing?
The 2026 Strictly celebrity line-up includes:
- Lacey Turner
- Dani Dyer
- Delta Goodrem
- Chris Appleton
- Coach Mercer
- Will Best
- Dame Sarah Storey
- Jaime Winstone
- Bethany Antonia
- Shuan Wright-Phillips
- Graeme Hall
- Lawrence Robb
- Tabby Stoecker
- John Nellis
- Melanie Walters
Who are the professional dancers?
Returning to the dancefloor will be Dianne Buswell, Julian Caillon, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola.
Following major changes, popular dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Márquez have all left the programme.
As a result, there will be five new professional dancers joining the Strictly team. This includes Maddie Ingoldsby, Aleksandra Isaeva, Mark Karmalita, Lethabo Monametsi, and Cristian Priori.
When can we expect the Grand Final?
The BBC has shared that we can expect an episode of Strictly every weekend until Christmas. This means that the Grand Final will likely air on Saturday, December 19. That’s three whole months of glitzy ballroom magic!
You can watch the Strictly Come Dancing launch show on Saturday, September 19 from 7.25pm
