When does Strictly Come Dancing 2026 start? Episode 1 date, presenters, celebrities, judges, new pro dancers and Take Two host
One of the biggest shows on television is returning to our screens later this month.
This year’s Strictly Come Dancing is about to get underway - with the nervous celebrities set to be paired with their professional dancers in less than two weeks.
Strictly first aired back in 2004 and has become the world’s most successful reality television franchaise - there are version in over 60 different countries around the world.
Previously presented by Bruce ForsythTess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, there have been 23 series of the dancing competition, with former winners including the likes of Caroline Flack, Bill Bailey, Joe McFadden and Alesha Dixon.
And this year sees a big change, with a brand new three-strong presenting team, and a new host of spinoff It Takes Two.
Meanwhile there’s the small matter of the 15 fresh famous faces battling it out on the dancefloor for the Glitterball Trophy.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is the first episide of Strictly Come Dancing 2026?
The new series starts on BBC One at 7.25pm on Saturday, September 19, with the celebs paired up with their professional partners. The first live show will be on the next Saturday, September 26.
The show will then be aired every weekend until Christmas, with the results shows every Sunday.
Who are the new presenters of Strictly Come Dancing 2026?
The new team taking over from Tess Daley and Claudia Winkleman are presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe.
Speaking after they were unveiled Sarah James, the show’s Executive Producer said: “The combination of Emma, Josh, and Jojo was unexpected, but their magic was undeniable the moment they came together.
"Emma brings a wealth of presenting experience and a natural warmth — she truly belongs in the ballroom and will guide our new celebrity cast through their Strictly journeys with love and care. Josh had us all in stitches with his unique style of self-deprecating humour and razor-sharp wit — and let’s not forget, he got a ten from Anton in the Christmas Special, so I think he already considers himself a pro dancer… And then there’s Jojo - a one-of-a-kind talent who’s been a beloved part of the Strictly family for eight years and will bring all his experience and knowledge to this new role - plus of course his legendary wardrobe!
"Most importantly, what truly shines through is the love and passion all three share for this show. That’s the key ingredient and we hope our audience will love them as much as we do.”
Who are the celebrities competing for the Glitterball Trophy this year?
Here are all 15 well-kent faces set to take to the dancefloor:
- Lacey Turner: Eastenders actress
- Dani Dyer: Love Island winner who is returning after withdraw from Strictly 2025 due to injury.
- Delta Goodrem: Australian pop star.
- Chris Appleton: World-renowned conceptual hair stylist.
- Cach Mercer: Social media star and Love Island champion.
- Will Best: DJ and Big Brother host.
- Dame Sarah Storey: Great Britain's most successful Paralympian of all time.
- Jaime Winstone: Actress and daughter of Ray Winstone.
- Bethany Antonia: Star of House of the Dragon.
- Shaun Wright-Phillips: English football legend.
- Graeme Hall: Television dog trainer.
- Lawrence Robb: Emmerdale actor.
- Tabby Stoecker: Olympic gold medal-winning skeleton racer.
- John Nellis: Football YouTuber.
- Melanie Walters: Gavin & Stacey actress
Who are the judges for Strictly Come Dancing 2026?
One thing that isn’t changing this year are the judges. Returning once again to judge the footwork will be Back once again for the new series will be Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas.
What professional dancers are returning for Strictly Come Dancing 2026?
The familiar faces returning to teach the celebs how to move are as follows:
- 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
- Vito Coppola
What new professional dancers are joining the Strictly team in 2026?
There are five new professional dancers to meet in the new show, namely:
Aleksandra Isaeva
Aleksandra grew up in Ukraine and now lives in Italy. A multiple Ukrainian National Latin Champion, Aleksandra is ranked in the world’s top 21 Latin dancers and has reached top 10 positions at both the European Latin Championships in Blackpool and the Dutch Open’s World Latin Dance Competition, as well as becoming a finalist at the UK Dance Festival’s Latin Rising Star competition.
Cristian Priori
A four-time Italian Latin Champion (and Aleksandra Isaeva’s dance partner) who was ranked in the World’s top 24 Latin dancers for eight consecutive years, Cristian’s international success saw him become a Rising Star Latin Finalist at the Blackpool Dance Festival and an Open World Latin Semi-Finalist. Born in Rome, Cristian achieved dance success from a young age as the Junior Italian 10-Dance Champion, before going on to become a Rising Star Finalist at both the UK Open and the Dutch Open.
Lethabo Monametsi
Lethabo Monametsi is an undefeated South African Latin Champion who first fell in love with dance after watching the South African version of Strictly Come Dancing. No stranger to television, she won the TV dance competition Dance Yo Dumo as a member of Urban Wave and has since performed as a dancer on The Masked Singer SA.
Lethabo has also shared the stage with global icons including Diana Ross and Hans Zimmer, and represented South Africa at the WDC Amateur Open World Championships in Ireland. As if that all weren’t enough, Lethabo also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Law Major) Degree from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Maddie Ingoldsby
Maddie Ingoldsby is a UK National Ballroom Champion and eight-time Amateur 10-Dance World Champion from Bournemouth, who was previously also crowned World Rising Star and Under 21 World Ballroom Champion. As a child Maddie played Annie in the West End, and made her television debut on Strictly: It Takes Two – before going on to perform in a Pros’ group number on the main show’s Christmas special. Maddie can also be seen in the hit film Last Christmas, starring Emma Thompson and Emilia Clarke.
Mark Karmalita
Mark Karmalita is a two-time National Latin Champion in his native Canada, and a Canadian Championship winner and finalist across multiple age groups. Mark is also an Empire Dance US Latin Rising Star Champion, and was previously ranked 10th in the World at the Under 21 Latin Dance Festival in Blackpool.
Who will be presenting Strictly - It Takes Two this year?
Strictly - It Takes Two returns to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer with a new look and a new host: comedian, presenter, and former Strictly contestant Ellie Taylor!
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