Strictly Come Dancing is getting ready to sparkle again, and the BBC has now confirmed exactly when the 2026 series begins. The launch show will air on Saturday, 19 September at 7.25pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with a brand-new presenting team, 15 celebrities, five new professional dancers and a different way of revealing this year’s couples.

The BBC has also released the first trailer for the new series, bringing together hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe with the judges, professional dancers and celebrity cast. The new run will continue across Saturday and Sunday nights throughout the autumn, taking viewers all the way through to Christmas and the next Glitterball Trophy winner.

When Does Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Start?

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 begins at 7.25pm on Saturday, 19 September on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The series will then air every weekend until Christmas, with the usual Saturday night performances followed by Sunday’s results show.

The launch show will introduce the celebrity class of 2026 and reveal which professional dancers they have been paired with. Last year’s winners Karen Carney and Carlos Gu will also return to the ballroom, performing their football-themed jive during the launch show.

What Happens in the New Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Trailer?

The first trailer gives us our first look at the new era of Strictly, with Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe leading the action alongside the full cast. The minute-long routine takes place around a studio backlot and will also open the launch show when it airs later this month.

There is a big change to the traditional pairing reveal too. For the first time, celebrities and professionals will discover who they are dancing with in front of the studio audience through three specially choreographed group routines. The launch episode will also take viewers behind the scenes as the celebrities begin rehearsing and settling into life inside the Strictly bubble.

Who Are the New Strictly Come Dancing Presenters?

Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe will host Strictly Come Dancing together in 2026, marking the first time the programme has had three main presenters.

Willis brings years of live entertainment experience, while Radebe moves into presenting after becoming one of the show’s most popular professional dancers. Widdicombe completes the new trio, bringing a comedy background to the ballroom as the series begins a new chapter.

Who Is in the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Cast?

The celebrity line-up features 15 contestants from television, music, sport and online entertainment. EastEnders star Lacey Turner joins returning 2025 contestant Dani Dyer, who had to withdraw from last year’s competition following injury, alongside Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem and celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton.

Also heading to the ballroom are Love Island winner Cach Mercer, presenter Will Best, Paralympic legend Dame Sarah Storey, actress Jaime Winstone, House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia, former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, dog trainer Graeme Hall, Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb, athlete Tabby Stoecker, YouTuber John Nellis and Gavin & Stacey favourite Melanie Walters.

Which Professional Dancers Are Returning for Strictly 2026?

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 and Vito Coppola are all returning to the professional line-up.

Five new professionals will also join the ballroom this year: Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita. They arrive from across the UK, Canada, Italy, South Africa and Ukraine, giving the professional roster another refresh for the new series.

Who Are the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Judges?

Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas will all return to the judging panel for 2026. The four will once again score the couples each Saturday night before viewers have their say in who remains in the competition.

The themed weeks will also be back, including Movies, Icons, Halloween and Musicals, alongside another trip to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. The Instant Dance challenge, introduced last year, is returning too.

Is Strictly: It Takes Two Returning?

Strictly: It Takes Two will return to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer with Ellie Taylor taking over as its new host. The former Strictly contestant will present from Elstree Studios every weeknight, bringing viewers interviews, rehearsal footage and behind-the-scenes coverage from the competition.

The companion show will continue to follow the couples between live shows, giving fans another look at training, costumes, choreography and everything happening away from the main ballroom.

For CultureCues, September does not really feel complete until the Strictly glitterball comes back out. There is a lot changing this year with three new hosts, five new professionals and the new partner reveal, so we are especially interested to see how it all comes together in the launch show. We already have a few favourites in the celebrity line-up, although we know that will probably change once the dancing starts, and as always, we are already preparing to become emotionally attached to several partnerships approximately five minutes after they meet. Bring on the sequins… and keep dancing!

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 begins at 7.25pm on Saturday, 19 September on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.