The 2026 lineup for the revamped Strictly Come Dancing show has been announced, with a mix of familiar faces and new contestants.
The BBC staple returns to iPlayer and BBC One in September with a new hosting trio consisting of Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe.
The judging panel remains the same, with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and Head Judge Shirley Ballas providing expert opinions and scores.
The professional dancer line-up has undergone a shake-up, with fan favorites Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Gorka Márquez departing, while Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will be without a partner for this series.
Paralympic legend Dame Sarah Storey has been announced as the seventh celebrity contestant, joining the likes of Will Best, Love Island 2025 winner Cach Mercer, world-renowned hair stylist Chris Appleton, EastEnders star Lacey Turner, former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer, and Australian singer and actor Delta Goodrem.
Dame Sarah Storey, a 19-time Paralympic gold medalist, says she is excited to take on the challenge and learn from the best dancers in the country.
Will Best, Big Brother host, has expressed his excitement and nervousness about joining the show, while Cach Mercer, a dancing background and over 50 million views on TikTok, is sure to be one to watch.
Chris Appleton, who has styled big names in the entertainment world, is thrilled to be joining the show and trying something new.
Lacey Turner, EastEnders star, is swapping the film set for the dance floor and is a huge fan of the show.
Dani Dyer, former Love Island contestant, is giving Strictly another go after her time on the show was cut short last year due to an ankle fracture.
Australian singer and actor Delta Goodrem is bringing her Australian charm to the dance floor and is excited to tackle a new challenge.
Further news about Strictly will be revealed throughout the summer, with the brand-new series of Strictly Come Dancing 2026 set to get underway on BBC One and iPlayer in September.
