Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Kicks Off with New Hosting Trio and a Mix of Familiar and Unfamiliar Faces
The first live show of the season saw a new presenting team take the helm and introduced a lineup of contestants, sparking debate among viewers.
The 2026 season of Strictly Come Dancing launched its first live show on Saturday night with a new hosting trio: Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe. This marks a significant change as they take over from long-time presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who departed the BBC show after the 2025 series.
Willis expressed nervousness about the live format, while Radebe noted that "anything can happen." The new presenting arrangement positions Willis and Widdicombe to host from the stage, similar to Daly's previous role, with Radebe presenting from the auditorium, mirroring Winkleman's position.
The show featured the first live performances of the season. Will Best, 41, performing a Samba to "Rock DJ" with Dianne Buswell, received a score of 18 from the judges. Skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker, 25, earned 22 points for her jive.
Other celebrity contestants and their professional partners for the initial dances include: Dani Dyer, 30, and Nikita Kuzmin, 28, performing a Samba; Bethany Antonia, 28, and Nancy Xu, 35, dancing the Quickstep; Love Island star Cach Mercer, 25, and Maddie Ingoldsby performing a Quickstep; celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, 43, and Amy Dowden dancing the Tango; Australian singer Delta Goodrem, 41, and Kai Widdrington performing a Samba; dog trainer Graeme Hall, 59, and Lauren Oakley dancing the Cha Cha; actress Jaime Winstone, 41, and Carlos Gu performing the Tango; sports YouTuber John Nellis, 33, and Katya Jones dancing a Foxtrot; EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, 38, and Vito Coppola performing a Cha Cha; Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb, 34, and Jowita Przystał dancing the Paso Doble; Melanie Walters, 64, and Aljaž Škorjanec dancing the Cha Cha; Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, 48, and Julian Caillon attempting a Quickstep; and former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, 44, with Alexis Warr dancing the Cha Cha.
The lineup has drawn mixed reactions from viewers, with some online comments questioning the identities of the contestants, who include social media personalities and reality stars. This strategy, aimed at attracting younger viewers, mirrors approaches taken by other shows, including the US's "Dancing With the Stars." However, data suggests that the majority of Strictly's audience remains older, typically in the Gen X and Baby Boomer demographics.