Strictly Come Dancing is set to launch its 2026 series tonight on BBC One, introducing a new presenting team and a refreshed format. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe will make their debut as hosts, taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
The launch show, which begins at 7:25pm, will also reveal a new method for pairing the celebrity contestants with their professional dance partners. Host Emma Willis stated that this year, couples will be “paired during a dance,” a process described as a first for the show.
The celebrity lineup for 2026 includes actors Melanie Walters, Lacey Turner, Jaime Winstone, and Bethany Antonia, along with reality star Dani Dyer, footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, and Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, among others.