Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has described the 2026 launch show as "absolute chaos and carnage" as the new celebrity-professional pairings were formed through speed dancing routines.
The BBC show returns for its 2026 series with new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, who will front the first live show on Saturday, September 26. The launch episode, which aired last weekend, marked the first since long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman departed.
Pairing routines described as 'bonkers'
Shirley returned to the judging panel alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke. Speaking about the pairing routines, she said: "I've never seen anything like it. Totally new, totally fresh and totally bonkers. We genuinely didn't know who was going to end up with who and it made the launch one like never before."
The 66-year-old admitted she was taken aback by most of the pairings, which include Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola, Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington, Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley, and same-sex couple Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu.
Judges' reaction to the chaos
Asked about the highlight of the opening show, Shirley said: "The absolute chaos and carnage that were the pairing dances! I really did struggle to work out who'd be with who this year. We've got a dance floor full of personalities and Motsi and I we're absolutely dying with laughter at the desk watching the chaos of the pairings unfold."
She said she is eagerly anticipating what the couples will deliver when live performances commence: "I genuinely cannot wait to see all our couples and I truly mean it. It's so exciting witnessing a new cast experience the magic of our show."
Advice for celebrities and a memorable routine
Shirley urged the celebrities to "listen to your teacher", adding: "You've studied, you've practiced and all that is left to do is prove to yourself what you are capable of. Don't overthink, don't change anything and just live in the moment. And as our dearest Len (Goodman) used to say 'Turn up, show up and shut up!'"
She highlighted one of her most unforgettable opening night routines as ex-Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher's samba alongside dance partner Oti Mabuse in 2019, a duo who ultimately claimed the series title. "It was of a quality I'd never seen in week one before and he wasn't even supposed to be on the show! It was simply brilliant and I still think about it to this day."
Regarding her role on Strictly, she said she adores "simply walking into the studio every Saturday and seeing my Strictly family", adding: "And I must add, sitting next to Anton Du Beke every Saturday is fun – he's like a naughty school boy!" Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One on Saturdays and on BBC iPlayer.
