Strictly Come Dancing returns to our screens this month and the BBC has today (September 5) confirmed when the first episode will air.
This year’s series will be different with three new presenters replacing Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly and couples will be paired in an unusual way too.
Plus, there will be a handful of new professional dancers joining the show for their first series.
The BBC has shared a sneak peek of the new series, featuring Strictly's new hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe alongside the Strictly judges, professional dancers, and the celebrity cast of 2026 as they dance the night away on a studio backlot.
The full routine will open this year’s Strictly launch show, which will see more dancing than ever before.
That’s because the celebrities and professionals will find out who they will dance with in front of the Strictly studio audience via three specially choreographed group dance routines for the first time ever.
Viewers will see behind the scenes during the launch show as the celebrities begin their dance rehearsals and last year’s champion Karen Carney will dance her iconic football jive with Carlos Gu.
You can read more about Strictly Come Dancing in our story here.
Strictly lineup for 2026
The following celebrities will take part in Strictly this year:
- Lacey Turner - EastEnders' Stacey Slater
- Dani Dyer - TV personality (returning after injury in 2025)
- Delta Goodrem - Singer
- Chris Appleton - Hair stylist
- Cach Mercer - Reality TV star
- Will Best - TV and radio host
- Dame Sarah Storey - Britain's most successful Paralympian
- Jaime Winstone - actress
- Bethany Antonia - actress
- Shaun Wright-Phillips - former professional footballer
- Graeme Hall - famous dog trainer
- Lawrence Robb - Emmerdale's Mackenzie Boyd
- Tabby Stoecker - Team GB skeleton athlete
- John Nellis - football content creator
- Melanie Walters - Gavin and Stacey star
5 new professionals join Strictly Come Dancing for 2026 series
Strictly announced five new professional dancers are joining the show this year:
- Aleksandra Isaeva
- Cristian Priori
- Lethabo Monametsi
- Maddie Ingoldsby
- Mark Karmalita
Strictly Come Dancing confirms start date for 2026
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in two weeks.
Fans will need to tune in at 7.25pm on Saturday, September 19 and new episodes will air every weekend until Christmas.
Are you excited for the new Strictly series? Let us know in the comments below.
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