Strictly Come Dancing viewers have already found something to criticise ahead of the first 2026 live show, with the week one dances branded 'disappointing' after the full line-up was revealed.
Last weekend, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe made their debuts as the new presenters, replacing veteran hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The reaction was mixed, with many praising Emma for slotting into her new role, while Josh and Johannes still need to win audiences over.
Now, fans have expressed 'disappointment' over the lack of 'variety' in the first dances, which include tracks by Harry Styles, Katseye, and Robbie Williams.
Nine of 15 routines are Latin style
Taking to Reddit, user jazzyc11 noted that nine of the 15 routines are Latin style – including the cha cha and samba – meaning those nine couples will likely switch to ballroom next weekend. They also noticed 'not a single waltz' was listed in either style.
Other viewers shared their opinions. 'Coming from America who started watching strictly last year I was excited to finally start watching some Waltz because dwts never does the slow Waltz and I was disappointed with how very few there were I was expecting more', wrote Empty_Position_4082. 'So. Many. Cha Cha Chas 😫', BeanOnAJourney complained, adding that they 'really hate it'.
For week one, four stars will dance the cha cha: Lacey Turner, Melanie Walters, Graeme Hall, and Shaun Wright-Phillips. Lumpy_Masterpiece644 suggested that bosses have chosen the 'crowd-pleasing big bombs' for the inaugural dances.
Some fans excited despite criticism
The feedback hasn't all been bad, though. When the first dances were shared by the Strictly Instagram page, many users appeared excited. 'Good luck everyone! Looking forward to watching the show! 💃', commented @hurst_jen. 'So excited to see them all', echoed @eibhlin.ryan, while @ryan.glendenning58 praised: 'Such a great mix of songs and dances for Week 1. Good luck everyone! 👏🏼👏🏼'
Nerves will be high this weekend, but the couples can rest assured that there won't be any eliminations. Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke will still be dishing out critiques and scores, with the totals combined next Saturday before the public vote opens.
New pros and hosts under pressure
Tonight will also mark the debut routines from two of the new professional dancers, as Canadian pro Mark Karmalita takes to the floor with Tabby Stoecker and Maddie Ingoldsby debuts with Cach Mercer. A total of five new pros were added to the Strictly roster this season after a mass cull of fan-favourite stars.
Joining Mark and Maddie are Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, and Lethabo Monametsi, who replaced axed pros Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas as part of the major shake-up.
It'll be all eyes on the new hosting trio once again this evening, all of whom have already admitted to feeling the pressure. Comedian Josh told the BBC that the experience is likely to feel 'utterly surreal', confessing: 'Will it ever stop being terrifying? I hope not, because hosting something like this should be the best kind of terrifying.'
Emma, who is no stranger to fronting a renowned talent show thanks to her stint on The Voice UK, also said she's feeling 'a little nervous', teasing, 'who knows what's going to happen?' while Johannes quipped that he's 'pretending to be very calm'.
The choreographer and performer, who joined Strictly as a professional in 2018 and made history with the first male-male pairing in 2021, added: 'The launch show was my first proper taste of this new chapter, but the live shows are the real thing. There's nowhere to hide, so I'm going to have to trust my preparation, trust the team, and trust myself.'
Strictly Come Dancing airs tonight on BBC.
