Strictly Come Dancing 2026: New Hosts and 15 Celebrities Launch Revamped Series
LONDON, UK — September 20, 2026: The 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing has begun with a major change to one of Britain’s most established television entertainment programmes.
For the first time, the BBC dancing competition is being presented by three hosts: Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
The trio replace long-serving presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, marking one of the biggest presentation changes in the show’s history.
The new series launched on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday, September 19, with 15 celebrity contestants introduced ahead of the live competition.
A new era for Strictly Come Dancing
The appointment of three presenters represents a significant change for the programme.
Emma Willis brings extensive television presenting experience, Josh Widdicombe brings comedy and entertainment experience, while Johannes Radebe arrives from within the Strictly family after years as a professional dancer.
The BBC announced the trio in May after Daly and Winkleman departed the programme.
Radebe’s appointment is particularly notable because he has moved from competing on the dancefloor to helping present the programme.
The trio have said they will share presenting responsibilities rather than simply dividing the programme into traditional backstage and main-stage roles.
Fifteen celebrities enter the competition
This year’s celebrity line-up features performers, actors, television personalities, athletes and online creators.
Among the contestants are Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Lacey Turner, Jaime Winstone, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Dame Sarah Storey and Melanie Walters.
The cast also includes hair stylist Chris Appleton, Love Island personality Cach Mercer, television presenter Will Best and House of the Dragon actor Bethany Antonia.
Winter Olympic gold medallist Tabby Stoecker, dog expert Graeme Hall, Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb and football content creator John Nellis complete the line-up.
The mixture of established television personalities and people from outside traditional entertainment reflects the show’s continuing approach to bringing different audiences into the competition.
Five new professional dancers
The professional line-up has also undergone changes.
Five new professional dancers have joined the programme following departures from several long-standing members of the cast.
The new professionals include Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita.
Their arrival represents another significant change for the programme.
Long-serving professionals including Karen Hauer, Gorka Márquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas have left the main professional line-up.
The changes mean viewers are being introduced to a considerably refreshed Strictly cast at the beginning of the new series.
Bethany Antonia makes Strictly history
One of the notable moments from the launch was the pairing of actress Bethany Antonia with professional dancer Nancy Xu.
The pairing creates the third all-female partnership in Strictly history.
The development follows previous same-sex partnerships and continues the show’s evolution in how professional pairings are presented.
The launch episode introduced the celebrities to their professional partners through a revised process.
Rather than relying entirely on traditional pre-recorded announcements, the show used a group-dance and pairing format designed to introduce the contestants and professionals together.
New hosts face their first major test
The new presenting trio are stepping into roles previously associated strongly with Daly and Winkleman.
The programme’s hosting format has traditionally been part of its identity, making the transition closely watched by viewers.
The trio had already discussed the challenge of taking over such a high-profile programme before the launch.
Their first appearance gave viewers the opportunity to see how their personalities work together in a live entertainment environment.
Early audience reaction was mixed, with some viewers welcoming the change while others compared the new format with the previous presenting partnership.
The reaction is likely to develop as the series progresses.
The judges remain familiar
While the presenting team has changed, the judging panel remains familiar to regular viewers.
Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke return to the judging desk.
Their continued presence provides some continuity during a season that has otherwise introduced several major changes.
The judges will again assess the celebrity-professional partnerships as the competition moves into the live stages.
Karen Carney returns after winning the title
Former Lioness Karen Carney, who won the previous series, returned alongside professional dancer Carlos Gu for a performance during the launch.
Their appearance provided a link between the previous series and the new competition.
The return also gave viewers an early reminder of the standard expected from the celebrity contestants entering the new season.
The live competition begins after the launch show, with contestants preparing for their first official routines.
A familiar format with new elements
Despite the changes, Strictly continues to retain many of its most recognisable features.
The glitterball trophy remains the ultimate prize, while the competition continues to combine ballroom and Latin dance with live music, costumes and celebrity entertainment.
The programme’s ability to combine dancing with celebrity culture has helped it remain a major part of the BBC’s entertainment schedule.
This year’s changes therefore represent an attempt to refresh the programme without removing the elements that viewers recognise.
Why the 2026 series matters
The new series arrives at a time when television entertainment is increasingly competing with streaming platforms and social media.
Strictly remains a major broadcast television event, with episodes scheduled across the autumn and leading towards the Christmas final.
The programme’s ability to create weekly discussion around performances, costumes, judges’ scores and eliminations remains a central part of its appeal.
The arrival of new presenters and professional dancers gives the BBC additional material to attract attention at the start of the season.
At the same time, established contestants and returning judges provide continuity.
The competition ahead
With 15 celebrities entering the competition, the next stage will be about performances rather than introductions.
Each couple will have to learn increasingly difficult routines as the series progresses.
The live shows will also introduce the competitive element that separates the launch programme from the main contest.
Contestants will face judges’ scores and public voting as the competition develops.
The final is scheduled for December, meaning the new presenting trio will have several months to establish their own style.
For viewers, the 2026 series offers a combination of familiar Strictly traditions and substantial changes behind the scenes.
The success of the new format will become clearer as the live shows progress.
For now, the opening weekend has officially begun a new chapter for one of Britain’s best-known television entertainment programmes.
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