Strictly Come Dancing: Your ultimate guide to the 2026 series
The first eight celebs have been announced!
Believe it or not it's now been a massive 22 years since popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing first hit our screens, with the series keeping fans entertained every year in the run-up to Christmas.
After Karen Carney and Carlos Gu were crowned the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing champions, the show is now facing a major shake-up. Several professional dancers are departing, and after months of rumours around potential hosts, they have now been announced as Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe, following the exit of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
As the first eight of this year's contestants has now been announced, here's all of the goss you need to know about Strictly Come Dancing.
When is Strictly back on TV?
It's now been confirmed the launch show will be recorded on Wednesday 9th September. The pre-recorded show is then expected to air on TV on Saturday 19th September, with live weekly episodes then following.
If you fancy going to watch the launch show be recorded, fans can apply for free tickets until 4th August.
Who are the new Strictly hosts?
The lovely Tess Daly MBE and Claudia Winkleman MBE returned for the 2025 series, but in October 2025 the pair released a joint statement to confirm it would be their last series as hosts.
After months of rumours as to who could be the new hosts, including Holly Willoughby and Fleur East, it was finally announced on Tuesday 19th May 2026, that Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe, would taking over as hosts for 2026.
Which celebs are taking part?
Announcing earlier than usual, BBC bosses revealed on 10th June that EastEnders actress Lacey Turner would be taking part in Strictly this year!
Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, and Chris Appleton have also been announced, with Love Island's Cach Mercer being revealed on 9th July. Hits Radio Breakfast host Will Best was then announced on Tuesday 14th July, with Paralympic athlete Dame Sarah Storey joining the line-up on Friday 17th July.
Actress Jamie Winstone was the eighth name to be confirmed on Thursday 22nd July.
Lacey Turner
Best known for: Actress
Lacey said: "I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! I am a huge fan and can't quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!"
Dani Dyer
Best known for: TV personality
Dani said: "I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one! I'm just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!"
Delta Goodrem
Best known for: Singer and actress
Delta said: "I've been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I've never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor! I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can't wait to get started!"
Chris Appleton
Best known for: World-renowned conceptual hair stylist
Chris said: 'I'm thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I've always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story - and I can't wait to get started.'
Cach Mercer
Best known for: Love Island winner
Cach said: "I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can't wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!"
Will Best
Best known for: Radio presenter and Big Brother host
Will said: "I can't quite believe it…I'm doing Strictly! What an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one. I've been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait! I have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dance floor! I'm going to try to enjoy every minute of it."
Dame Sarah Storey
Best known for: Paralympic athlete
Sarah said: "Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting. I have always loved watching Strictly and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world, is incredibly motivating! I can't wait to get started!"
Jaime Winstone
Best known for: Actress
Jamie said: "I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year. I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me. I love a challenge though, so can't wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!! Let's get physical – see you on the dance floor!"
Further celebs are due to be announced in the coming weeks.
Who is rumoured for Strictly?
As ever, rumours are heating up for this year's show, with a number of names doing the rounds.
Check out all of the rumoured celebs below:
Melanie Walters
Actress Melanie Walters, best known for playing the role of Gwen on BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey is rumoured to have signed for the 2026 series, with a source saying she's "very excited".
Stephen Libby
The Traitors series four winner Stephen Libby is reportedly in talks for the 2026 series, with a source saying: "The Strictly casting team have met with Stephen and think he could be a great fit. Stephen was hugely popular on The Traitors and since leaving Ardross Castle he has built up a very big fan base. The BBC are always keen to utilise their talent and Stephen is ideal."
Josie Gibson
As well as landing a brand new show with ITV/STV called How To Clean Up For Cash, former Big Brother star and This Morning presenter Josie Gibson is reportedly being lined-up for the 2026 series of Strictly.
A source told a national newspaper: "Josie has been on the BBC's radar for a while and they've not given up their pursuit. They're hoping this year is the year, and talks are progressing well. Bosses are convinced her down-to-earth charm will be the boost this year's new-look show needs. Warm and engaging, she's just what they require right now and will be a sure-fire hit with fans."
Jake Quickenden
Singer and TV personality Jake Quickenden has seemingly put his name in the hat for this year's Strictly! In May 2026, Jake got his fans talking when he shared a post on X which read: 'Has anyone who's done dancing on ice ever done @bbcstrictly just wondering'. Of course, Jake took part in Dancing On Ice in 2018, so could he be eyeing up a slot on Strictly?
Sarah Jayne Dunn
Former Hollyoaks actress Sarah Jayne Dunn hasn't been shy in expressing her ambition to take part in this year's Strictly. The actress started a social media campaign where she's manifesting that she will get the call from bosses! However, towards the end of June, Sarah posted saying: 'Well, this chapter didn't end the way I'd hoped. Of course I'm disappointed. I wanted this more than I can put into words'. (sic)
GK Barry
GK Barry a.k.a Grace Keeling, a social media personality, podcaster and presenter who first blew up on TikTok with lifestyle videos during university. She is best known for hosting the podcast Saving Grace and for TV appearances including I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Loose Women, Love Island: Aftersun, The Weakest Link and The Last Leg.
Speaking on her podcast, Saving Grace, on 30th April 2026, guest Dani Dyer asked whether Grace would ever take part in the competition. Grace didn't give a definitive answer but hinted it could be a possibility - prompting one commenter to speculate: 'So Grace is doing Strictly this year ;)'. (sic).
Stacey Solomon
Another well-known name on this year's rumoured list is Stacey Solomon! Stacey is no strange to working with the BBC, with her show Sort Your Life Out now onto its sixth series, as well as her reality show Stacey & Joe airing last year. With the mum-of-five being a fan favourite, bosses will be keen to get her signature.
Tom Parker Bowles
Food critic Tom Parker Bowles, also known as Queen Camilla's son, was reportedly top of the BBC's wish list for the 2025 series. However, after Tom didn't appear on the line-up, could we see him on the 2026 series?
Who are the judges?
On Wednesday 6th May, the BBC confirmed Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse will all return for the 2026 series.
Which professional dancers are on Strictly this year?
In recent weeks, a number of professional dancers who've been part of the show for over a decade have announced their exits.
Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Márquez will all not be returning.
However, on 6th May, the BBC confirmed Dianne Buswell, Julian Caillon, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola will all return. Although, we aren't sure if Johannes will be able to dance following the news that he will be co-hosting the series in 2026.
It's also been announced that a number of new professionals will join the show, and they will be revealed in due course.
READ MORE: Find out more about the 2026 Strictly professionals here
How to vote
Voting will open once the live shows begin and it's set to once again be online only.
In 2025, for the first time in the show's history, voting was online only, with viewers being asked to scan the QR code on the screen during the show, or visit the Strictly website to vote.
The voting on Strictly Come Dancing combined both the judges' scores and the public votes, meaning no couple is safe, even if they receive the top score of 40 from the judges.
After all couples have performed, voting opens for the public to vote for their favourite couple, then the judges scores and the public votes are added together. The couple ranked the highest will be given a number of points equal to the number of couples competing that evening.
How can I get tickets to see Strictly?
The random ballot for free audience tickets is currently closed.
What channel is it on?
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One on Saturday and Sunday nights, with the spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, broadcasting on BBC2.
What are the Welfare and Support protocols?
BBC bosses introduced new welfare steps in 2024, which included:
1) Have a production team member present during training room rehearsals at all times.
2) Increase existing support with the addition of two new roles on the show dedicated to welfare support – a Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer.
3) Deliver further training for the production team and crew.
Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, says: "Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we’re made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.
"Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals. The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today, act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production."
Who hosts Strictly: It Takes Two?
Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two has become nearly as popular as the main show since it first hit BBC Two in 2004.
After four years presenting the show, Rylan Clark confirmed in April 2023 that he'd quit his hosting role, leaving fans wondering who will replace him.
Following the news, it was later announced that 2022 contestant and Hits Radio presenter Fleur East would join Janette Manrara to host the show. Fleur and Janette then returned for the 2024 and 2025 series, but it's not yet known if they will host in 2026.
Who has won Strictly Come Dancing in the past?
There's so far been 23 different winners of Strictly, you can read all about the past winners right here.
Strictly Come Dancing will return later this year on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.