Dani Dyer Expresses Nerves Ahead of 'Strictly' Live Debut Amid Show Revamp and Fan Criticism

Dani Dyer has voiced her nervousness ahead of the first live broadcast of "Strictly Come Dancing," as the popular BBC show navigates a significant revamp that has drawn mixed reactions from viewers. The upcoming Saturday night launch marks a new chapter for the program in its 22nd year, featuring a new presenting trio and altered elements of the competition.

Dyer, who is returning to the competition after an ankle injury forced her withdrawal in the previous season, took to Instagram Stories to share her feelings. "Guys, I can't believe it. The day is here, it's show day! I'm so excited, I'm s****ing my pants, of course. But I'm just so excited," she said from her dressing room. "I'm actually speechless. I just can't believe the day is here. The day is finally here, and yeah, guys, I need all the luck in the world."

The BBC has introduced substantial changes, moving away from the show's established format. This includes a new lineup of presenters—Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe—replacing long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The partnering process has also been revised, with celebrities discovering their professional dance partners during a new studio game.

Despite the network's aim for a ratings boost, the pre-recorded launch show garnered overnight figures that were only slightly up on the previous year, peaking at 5.8 million viewers. However, the average viewership decreased to 5.3 million, down from 5.4 million in 2025. Many viewers expressed disappointment with the new hosting arrangement, questioning the necessity of three presenters and sharing a preference for the previous hosts.

Viewer comments on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) included sentiments such as, "I can't understand why we need 3 presenters???" and "Why does it need 3 presenters? It just doesn't work." Others voiced a desire for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to return.

Another point of contention for viewers was the revised partner-finding segment, described as akin to musical chairs. Online reactions included jokes like, "I'm going to be hearing 'CHANGE PARTNERS' in my sleep aren't I #Strictly."

During the partner reveal, Dani Dyer was reunited with her professional dance partner from last year, Nikita Kuzmin. Other pairings announced included actress Bethany Antonia with Nancy Xu, Love Island star Cach Mercer with newcomer Maddie Ingoldsby, and celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton with Amy Dowden. Australian singer Delta Goodrem was paired with Kai Widdrington, while dog trainer Graeme Hall was matched with Lauren Oakley. Actress Jaime Winstone will dance with Carlos Gu, sports YouTuber John Nellis with Katya Jones, and EastEnders actress Lacey Turner with Vito Coppola. Emmerdale's Lawrence Robb was paired with Jowita Przystał, and Melanie Walters, the series' oldest celebrity, will dance with Aljaž Škorjanec. Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey was matched with Julian Caillon, former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips with Alexis Warr, British skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker with Mark Karmalita, and Big Brother presenter Will Best with Dianne Buswell.

Concerns were also raised about the celebrity contestants themselves, with some viewers unfamiliar with many of the participants. John Nellis, a sports content creator, notably does not have a Wikipedia page. The show's producers appear to be prioritizing contestants with large social media followings, a strategy aimed at attracting younger demographics. This approach mirrors that of its U.S. counterpart, "Dancing With the Stars."

Despite the focus on social media influencers, the primary "Strictly" audience demographic remains older, with approximately 60 percent of viewers aged 55 or older. This has led to confusion among some long-time fans who question the casting choices.

The overnight ratings suggest that the revamped show has not yet achieved a significant resurgence in viewership. While the peak figures saw a marginal increase, they remain below the numbers recorded before past controversies, which included allegations regarding the treatment of contestants and behind-the-scenes culture. Prior to these issues, the "Strictly" launch in 2023 peaked at 6.7 million viewers, averaging 6.3 million.

The first live show of the new "Strictly Come Dancing" series is scheduled to air on Saturday at 6:15 PM on BBC One and iPlayer.