Strictly Come Dancing contestant Graeme Hall has revealed a major format change weeks before the 2026 series launch show airs. The dog trainer and podcaster said bosses have scrapped the pre-recorded introductory videos that revealed celebrity-pro pairings, returning to live studio announcements.
Live reveals return
Appearing on Radio Northampton, Hall shared: "This year, they're doing it slightly differently. We don't find out until the launch show. You have no say in it, the pros have no say in it."
In recent years, the pre-recorded launch show saw celebrities travel to locations across the country to meet their professional partners. However, producers have decided to revert to the pre-Covid format, with partnerships announced live in the studio, with dancers and celebrities finding out at the same time as the audience.
New hosts and dancers
The primetime BBC show has already undergone major changes, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as hosts. Five new professional dancers have also joined the line-up.
Additionally, a former contestant has been confirmed as the new host of spin-off show It Takes Two, replacing Janette Manrara and co-presenter Fleur East.
Joining Hall on the line-up are Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Jaime Winstone, Will Best, Sean Wright-Phillips, Bethany Antonia, Lawrence Robb, John Nellis, Tabby Stoecker, Dame Sarah Storey and Melanie Walters.
Pro changes confirmed
Many professionals from previous years are returning, but Gorka Marquez, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk and Nadiya Bychkova have announced they have stepped away from the show.
Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita are set to take to the dancefloor for the first time when the series returns next month.
Sarah James, Executive Producer at BBC Studios, said: "Aleksandra, Cristian, Lethabo, Maddie and Mark are all outstanding world class dancers and we can’t wait to see them shine under the Strictly glitterball this September."
Jo Wallace, Senior Commissioning Editor at BBC Entertainment, added: "It's so exciting to welcome the brilliantly talented Aleksandra, Cristian, Lethabo, Maddie and Mark. As if the return of Strictly wasn't shaping up to be fab-u-lous enough already, they're five more reasons why the new series is not to be missed."
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC1 and BBC iPlayer in September.
