Strictly Come Dancing has officially kicked off its 2026 series, and fans are already convinced that one new pairing—EastEnders star Lacey Turner and professional dancer Vito Coppola—are the ones to beat. The launch show, aired on September 19, 2026, introduced the full cast in an unconventional way: instead of pre-recorded videos or host announcements, all celebrities and pros participated in a group dance, swapping partners until new presenter Emma Willis confirmed each final pairing.
Group dance reveal breaks tradition
The 2026 launch show featured a fresh format, with Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe taking over as hosts. In a departure from previous years, the couples were revealed through a choreographed group number, keeping audiences guessing until the last moment. This change added an element of surprise, but it was the Turner–Coppola partnership that dominated social media reactions.
Fans quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their excitement. One user, Fabio, tweeted: “Lacey and Vito are already out ones to beat!” Another, Lenny, wrote: “Yes Lacey and Vito fantastic,” while Juls added: “LACEY AND VITO OMG I’M SO HAPPY.” The enthusiasm was echoed by user Sukie, who called the pairing “the best thing that could’ve happened.”
Turner’s journey to the dancefloor
Lacey Turner, known for her role as Stacey Slater on EastEnders, was the first celebrity confirmed for the 2026 cast back in June. At the time, she said: “I am so excited to being 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! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!”
Her partner, Vito Coppola, is a fan-favourite professional who has been part of the show since 2022, known for his energetic routines and previous success. The pairing has already generated significant buzz, with hashtags like #Strictly trending as fans shared their support.
Other confirmed pairings and history made
The launch show also revealed other partnerships, including Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin, who made history as the first couple to be paired together twice. Dyer had to withdraw from the 2025 competition due to injury, and Kuzmin went on to finish as joint runner-up with Amber Davies. This year, the duo gets a second chance, adding a layer of intrigue to the competition.
Additional pairings include Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters with Aljaz Skorjanec, Julian Caillon with Dame Sarah Storey, and actress Jaime Winstone with Carlos Gu. The full cast list is expected to be confirmed as the series progresses, with more names likely to be announced in the coming weeks.
What’s next for Strictly 2026
Strictly Come Dancing returns for its first live show on Saturday night on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. With the launch show setting the stage, viewers will now watch as the couples begin their training ahead of the first live performances. The early fan enthusiasm for Turner and Coppola suggests they will be a couple to watch, but as always, the competition is wide open, and the judges’ scores will ultimately decide who lifts the glitterball trophy.
