Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will begin on September 19, with the full celebrity line-up and new hosting team now confirmed. The BBC show returns after a series of major changes, including the departure of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who have been replaced by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
Last year's winners, Lioness Karen Carney and professional partner Carlos Gu, set a high bar for the 2026 contestants. The pro dancer line-up has also seen significant turnover, with fan favourites Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Gorka Márquez departing, while Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will be 'benched' without partners.
Strictly 2026 Start Date and Schedule
The first episode on September 19 will be a pre-recorded reveal of the celebrity pairings with professional dancers. Live episodes begin the following week on September 26, marking the contestants' first performances as pairs. There is traditionally no elimination during that initial live show, so the first couple will be voted off on October 4 following a public vote. The 2026 final will air on December 19 on the BBC, closer to Christmas than in previous years.
Full Celebrity Line-Up for Strictly 2026
The 2026 cast includes 15 celebrities from television, sports, music, and social media. Below is the full list:
Melanie Walters – Best known for playing Gwen West in the BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, Walters has also appeared in Coronation Street, Beyond Paradise, Being Human, Hollyoaks, Biff and Chip, and Doc Martin. She said: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly 'fix' has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room. This year I am completely thrilled and happy to swap my fairy wand for sequinned dance shoes.'
John Nellis – A YouTuber with 15 million subscribers, Nellis is one of the UK's biggest sports creators. He has collaborated with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Cristiano Ronaldo. He said: 'I'm still in disbelief that I've been selected for Strictly and, if I'm honest, I'm a little nervous as I've never danced before!'
Tabby Stoecker – An Olympic gold medallist in skeleton, Stoecker won at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy. She is also a World Cup race winner, European Champion medallist, and double World Champion medallist. She said: 'I've had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal.'
Lawrence Robb – Known for playing Mackenzie 'Mack' Boyd on Emmerdale, Robb said: 'I don't know who's more excited about this, me or my Mother. I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!'
Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hall – The 60-year-old presenter of Channel 5's Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly also fronts The Dog Hospital with Graeme Hall and appears on This Morning and BBC radio. He said: 'I have always loved dancing, so to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the business is a dream come true.'
Shaun Wright-Phillips – The former England footballer earned 36 caps and played for Manchester City, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers, New York Red Bulls, and Phoenix Rising FC. He said: 'Dancing is in my blood – but mainly at family events! Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I'm super excited to get started.'
Bethany Antonia – The 28-year-old actress, known for playing Lady Baela Targaryen in HBO's House of the Dragon, has also appeared in Doctors, Nolly, Get Even, Doctor Who, and Stath Lets Flats. She said: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'
Jaime Winstone – The actress, daughter of Ray Winstone, has starred in Kidulthood, Bullet Boy, Tomb Raider, and Wild Bill, and played Barbara Windsor in the 2017 biopic Babs. She said: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me. I love a challenge though, so can't wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!'
Dame Sarah Storey – Great Britain's most successful Paralympian, the 48-year-old cyclist and swimmer holds multiple Paralympic gold medals and is a six-time British national track champion. She announced her retirement from competitive sport earlier this month. She said: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting. My daughter, Louisa, is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating!'
Will Best – The 41-year-old Big Brother presenter co-hosts ITV's reality show with AJ Odudu and is heard on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show. He recently won Celebrity Mastermind with the specialist subject of Danny Dyer. He said: 'I can't quite believe it…I'm doing Strictly! What an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one.'
Cach Mercer – The influencer won Love Island in 2025 with his partner Toni Laites. He has over 1.3 million TikTok followers and is known for Afrobeat, hip-hop, and street dance moves. He said: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast.'
Chris Appleton – The 43-year-old hairstylist from Leicester works with Kim Kardashian, J-Lo, Sofia Vergara, and Ariana Grande. In 2023, Kim Kardashian officiated his wedding to Lukas Gage (the couple later divorced). He said: 'I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story – and I can't wait to get started.'
Delta Goodrem – The 41-year-old Australian singer-songwriter signed her first record deal at 15, has released seven albums, sold millions of copies, and represented Australia at Eurovision 2026. She said: 'I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can't wait to get started!'
Lacey Turner – The 38-year-old actress has played Stacey Slater on EastEnders for over 20 years. She said: 'I am so excited to be making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing. I am a huge fan and can't quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year!'
Dani Dyer – The 29-year-old reality TV star returns after being forced to withdraw in 2025 due to an ankle fracture shortly after the launch show. She was originally partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, who went on to reach the final with Amber Davies. She said: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'
Impact and Next Steps
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 returns to the BBC on September 19 with the launch show, followed by live episodes starting September 26. The first elimination will occur on October 4, and the final will air on December 19.
