Strictly Come Dancing has officially revealed its full 2026 line-up, leaving BBC viewers wondering when the show will return and what the new series has in store. YouTube star John Nellis, known for his sports-related content, and Swansea-born actress Melanie Walters, best known for playing Gwen in Gavin and Stacey, have completed the cast after months of announcements and teases from the BBC.
New presenting trio and professional shake-up
The 2026 series is highly anticipated following the exit of veteran hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. The pair stepped aside after the 2025 series finished and have been replaced by the show's first-ever three-person presenting team: Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe.
The professional dancers have also undergone a major shake-up, with only 15 of the 20 recognisable faces from last year returning for the new series. Fan favourites Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez are among those who have departed the show.
2026 celebrity line-up
EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, Love Island's Dani Dyer (who was forced to pull out of Strictly 2025 due to injury), Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem, world-renowned hair stylist Chris Appleton, social media star and Love Island champion Cach Mercer, presenter Will Best and paralympian Dame Sarah Storey will take to the floor.
Starring alongside them will be actresses Jaime Winstone and Bethany Antonia, football legend Shaun Wright-Phillips, dog trainer and presenter Graeme Hall, Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb and Olympic champion skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker. Completing the cast are YouTuber John Nellis and Gavin and Stacey legend Melanie Walters.
New hosts and rumoured start date
Following the unexpected exit of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly last year, the BBC has introduced a trio of hosts for the first time ever. Presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe will lead the Strictly ballroom this year. The announcement was made in May last year, and Strictly's executive producer Sarah James described the combination as "unexpected, but their magic was undeniable the moment they came together."
While the BBC is yet to announce an official return date, it is understood that the annual competition will kick off as usual in September. Exact air dates for the autumn competition are yet to be confirmed, although based on the schedule of previous years, the pre-recorded launch show could air on BBC One and iPlayer on Wednesday 19 September.
Professionals and judges
Several new faces will join the professional line-up this year after five fan favourite stars bid the series farewell. The departing dancers include Karen Hauer, the programme's longest-serving female professional, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas.
Their replacements are Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita. Returning to the ballroom are Julian Caillon, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przysta, Alja Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola. The judging panel of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke will all be back as expected.
