Strictly Come Dancing returns for its 2026 series in the coming weeks with new hosts, professional dancers and celebrities.
The BBC confirmed the start date on September 5 and there isn’t long to wait for the competition to start.
If you’re looking for key information about the new Strictly series, look no further as we share the Strictly start date, the full celebrity lineup, the new hosts, professional dancers and more.
When does Strictly Come Dancing start?
Strictly Come Dancing’s first episode will air on Saturday, September 19.
Viewers can tune in to see the 2026 launch show from 7.25pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
How will the launch show be different this year?
The BBC says the launch show will differ from previous years.
There will be more dancing and celebrities will be paired with their professional partners in front of the studio audience via three specially choreographed group dance routines for the first time ever.
Viewers will see behind the scenes during the launch show as the celebrities begin their dance rehearsals and last year’s champion Karen Carney will dance her iconic football jive with Carlos Gu.
When are the live shows and when is the Strictly final?
The live shows start on Saturday, September 26 and will air every Saturday until December 19 – the final weekend before Christmas.
December 19 will be the weekend of the grand final and the week viewers will find out who takes home the Glitterball trophy.
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Which celebrities are in the Strictly Come Dancing lineup for 2026?
The following celebrities will dance in this year’s Strictly competition:
- Lacey Turner - EastEnders' Stacey Slater
- Dani Dyer - TV personality (returning after injury in 2025)
- Delta Goodrem - Singer
- Chris Appleton - Hair stylist
- Cach Mercer - Reality TV star
- Will Best - TV and radio host
- Dame Sarah Storey - Britain's most successful Paralympian
- Jaime Winstone - actress
- Bethany Antonia - actress
- Shaun Wright-Phillips - former professional footballer
- Graeme Hall - famous dog trainer
- Lawrence Robb - Emmerdale's Mackenzie Boyd
- Tabby Stoecker - Team GB skeleton athlete
- John Nellis - football content creator
- Melanie Walters - Gavin and Stacey star
Read more:
- BBC confirms Strictly Come Dancing's September start date for 2026 series
- Strictly Come Dancing's new hosts spotted filming ahead of launch show
- Emma Willis says one part of hosting Strictly could be 'difficult' ahead of series
- 15 contestants that are taking part in BBC's Strictly Come Dancing 2026
- Strictly Come Dancing star reveals they almost quit BBC show after cancer battle
- Who is Emma Willis? New Strictly host's TV and radio career, famous husband and more
- Strictly Come Dancing fans are all saying the exact same thing after trailer drops
- Johannes Radebe confirms if he'll keep dancing amid new Strictly Come Dancing role
Who are the new Strictly presenters?
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly left Strictly at the end of the 2025 series and have been replaced by three hosts.
Strictly professional Johannes Radebe will host alongside TV presenter Emma Willis and comedian Josh Widdicombe.
The BBC show has never had three people hosting it at one time until now.
Who are the Strictly judges?
The Strictly judges haven’t changed for the 2026 series, so you can expect the same four familiar faces to be judging the performances.
Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Head Judge Shirley Ballas will raise their paddles as they rate each dance.
Which professional dancers will be on the show this year?
The following professional dancers will return:
- Dianne Buswell
- Julian Caillon
- Amy Dowden
- Katya Jones
- Neil Jones
- Nikita Kuzmin
- Jowita Przystał
- Aljaž Škorjanec
- Alexis Warr
- Kai Widdrington
- Nancy Xu
- Carlos Gu
- Lauren Oakley
- Vito Coppola
Strictly has announced five new professional dancers are joining the show this year.
These are Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita.
Who has been axed from Strictly 2026?
The following professional dancers are no longer on Strictly:
- Karen Hauer
- Nadiya Bychkova
- Luba Mushtuk
- Michelle Tsiakkas
- Gorka Marquez
Will you be watching the new Strictly series? Let us know in the comments below.
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