The highly anticipated 2026 season of Strictly Come Dancing is set to dazzle with its newly revealed celebrity cast, who have been showcased in glamorous, sequin-adorned attire. The revamped show, premiering September 19, features a diverse lineup and a significant shift in its hosting format.
Among the standout transformations are returning contestant Dani Dyer, dressed in a vibrant purple fringed gown, and EastEnders star Lacey Turner, sporting an orange version of the same design. Australian singer Delta Goodrem adds a touch of gold to the mix. Perhaps the most striking change is that of Melanie Walters, the actress known for her role in Gavin & Stacey, who has swapped her character Gwen's signature aprons for a plunging, metallic dress and heels.
The male contestants are also embracing bold colors, seen in shades of red and purple satin. This year's cast includes Big Brother host Will Best and Chris Appleton, Kim Kardashian's hairstylist, alongside actress Jaime Winstone, former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, Paralympians Dame Sarah Storey and Tabby Stoecker, Love Island winner Cach Mercer, House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia, dog trainer Graeme Hall, Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb, and social media personality John Nellis.
This 24th series marks a significant overhaul for the BBC flagship program. The departure of long-time hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly has paved the way for a new presenting team: Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe. In a recent interview, the trio described their new dynamic as a "wild card" for producers, with the format remaining "very open" as they find their footing.
"There's no like for like, so no one's kind of replacing anybody and at the minute it's all very kind of open," Emma Willis told The Rest Is Entertainment podcast. "We're having lots of production days where we go in and we play around and we're kind of feeling each other out - well, they're feeling us out really." Widdicombe added, "It's going to be like total football, Richard. We're going to be moving everywhere."
Willis also clarified that Radebe will not be relegated to a backstage reporting role, as some reports had suggested.
The show's casting strategy for this series has also come under scrutiny, with a noted emphasis on social media stars. This approach, according to insiders, is a deliberate attempt to attract a younger demographic, mirroring the successful strategy employed by the U.S. program Dancing With The Stars. Celebrities like Chris Appleton, despite not being a traditional household name, command significant followings on platforms such as Instagram, where he has 4 million followers. Sports YouTuber John Nellis boasts an even larger audience with 15.7 million subscribers.
Dancing With The Stars has previously leveraged its contestants' online reach, notably with a "TikTok Night" that featured viral dance routines and boosted viewer interaction. The U.S. show's TikTok account has amassed over 5 million followers, a stark contrast to Strictly's 670,000.
This focus on social media presence has also been observed in the selection of professional dancers. Dancers with larger online followings have reportedly been prioritized over those with less digital reach, a move that has led to the departure of some established professionals. Conversely, dancers like Dianne Buswell, who has 1.2 million Instagram followers and 973,000 on TikTok, have retained their places.
Five new professional dancers have been recruited, including Maddie Ingoldsby, who has a substantial following on TikTok. The new hosts also possess strong online presences: Josh Widdicombe has over half a million Instagram followers, while Emma Willis has 2 million, and Johannes Radebe has 458,000.
Sources suggest that the BBC faces challenges in attracting major celebrities due to shifts in the entertainment landscape. The decline in traditional pipelines, such as boybands and drama stars, has led the broadcaster to increasingly turn to social media influencers who resonate with a vast audience.
Strictly Come Dancing is scheduled to return to BBC iPlayer and BBC One at 7:25 p.m. on Saturday, September 19.
