A new presenting lineup

BBC One broadcast the launch of Strictly Come Dancing's 24th series on 19 September 2026, introducing a revamped hosting team to viewers on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Broadcaster Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and former professional dancer Johannes Radebe stepped into the presenting roles following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left the programme in 2025. The trio took the floor after a full-cast opening dance routine. Willis noted that fronting the broadcast felt like a genuine honour, while Radebe commended Widdicombe on his movement during the opening segments.

“It's a little bit overwhelming to be here, but we are so delighted.”

Pairing reveals and returning champions

The launch broadcast unveiled 15 celebrity contestants through three specially choreographed routines that functioned like musical chairs, with contestants switching partners until the music paused to confirm each couple. Former England footballer Karen Carney returned to the ballroom alongside professional dancer Carlos Gu, having won the 2025 series against finalists Amber Davies and George Clarke. Carney, the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy, had opened her 2025 season with a 31-point Jive to Blondie's One Way or Another. Gu commended Carney during their return, noting that their previous campaign together had changed his life.

Dani Dyer returns after injury

Reality television personality Dani Dyer secured a spot on the 2026 roster, reuniting with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin. Dyer had been forced to withdraw from the 2025 series after sustaining a fractured ankle during rehearsals, which left her bedridden for days before returning for the new series. Kuzmin reported having tears of joy upon learning they would dance together again. Dyer stated that she was over the moon to receive a second chance on the show.

“I locked myself in my room, and my mum was like knocking on my door, and she was like, 'that's enough now, you've got to get out of bed'.”

The 2026 ballroom roster

The remaining pairings span television, sports, and entertainment, with actress Bethany Antonia joining Nancy Xu as the competition's only same-sex couple. Antonia, known for House of the Dragon, partners with Xu, who joined the show in 2019 and previously placed fourth with Rhys Stephenson in 2021. Celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton partnered with Welsh professional Amy Dowden, while 25-year-old Love Island winner Cach Mercer joined 21-year-old newcomer Maddie Ingoldsby. The cast also features Lacey Turner with Vito Coppola, Delta Goodrem with Kai Widdrington, Will Best with Dianne Buswell, Dame Sarah Storey with Julian Caillon, Jaime Winstone with Carlos Gu, Shaun Wright-Phillips with Alexis Warr, Graeme Hall with Lauren Oakley, Lawrence Robb with Jowita Przystał, Tabby Stoecker with Mark Karmalita, John Nellis with Katya Jones, and Melanie Walters with Aljaž Škorjanec.