The BBC is doing a disservice to what is arguably the strongest Strictly Come Dancing line-up in years by handling the celebrity announcements in a low-key, sporadic manner, according to Metro columnist Adam Miller. With new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe taking over after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's departure, the show is undergoing its biggest revamp in decades. Yet the reveal of the star-studded cast has lacked any sense of occasion.
Strongest Cast in Years, But Poorly Unveiled
Miller argues that the 2026 line-up includes some of the freshest and most exciting names in years: EastEnders legend Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer returning after injury, Delta Goodrem, Kim Kardashian's hairstylist Chris Appleton, Love Island winner Cach Mercer, Big Brother host Will Best, Paralympic cycling legend Dame Sarah Storey, and Jaime Winstone. Despite this, the BBC has announced them randomly since June, without rhythm or warning.
“On paper, this is one of the freshest, most current and genuinely exciting Strictly casts in years. Yet these announcements have somehow managed to make it feel anything but,” Miller wrote.
Traditional Reveals Were an Event
Miller recalls that cast announcements used to be a highlight of the TV calendar, with celebrities revealed over a week, sparking speculation and excitement. Memorable reveals include Bill Bailey in 2020, AJ Odudu, and Krishnan Guru-Murthy, each dominating headlines for a day. Now, the BBC appears to be rushing announcements to avoid leaks, but this strategy has killed momentum.
“One morning you wake up and discover another celebrity has quietly joined the line-up. Another appears a few days later. Then silence. Then another. There’s no momentum, no shared excitement and no sense that each reveal actually matters,” Miller said.
New Era Needs a Bigger Launch
With the show's biggest overhaul in decades, Miller believes the cast reveal should be a major event to convince viewers the new era is worth getting excited about. Instead, even big names like Jaime Winstone have been casually dropped into the mix without fanfare. “It feels like, by the time the full cast is finally confirmed, much of any excitement over their announcements will already have faded,” he added.
Miller calls on the BBC to make the announcements feel special again, arguing that the cast isn't just a list of names but an opportunity to build anticipation for the series.
