The class of 2026 for "Strictly Come Dancing" has convened for their initial dance rehearsals, marking the first gathering of this year's celebrity contestants. Despite some fans expressing disappointment and labeling the lineup the "worst ever" in the show's 22-year history, the participants appeared to be in high spirits upon their arrival at the London studio.
Among those attending was Dani Dyer, who is set to compete after an injury forced her withdrawal from the previous year's competition. Dyer, who fractured her ankle before the first show last year, was seen smiling as she entered the studio. Other notable attendees included singer and actress Delta Goodrem, who arrived in a chic ensemble, and Jaime Winstone, dressed for the warm weather in denim hotpants and cowboy boots.
Also joining the cast is Melanie Walters, known for her role in "Gavin & Stacey," who expressed her excitement. The lineup also features a diverse range of personalities, including EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, "Love Island" contestant Cache Mercer, "Big Brother" host Will Best, and Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey. Other contestants include Bethany Antonia from "House of the Dragon," former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, presenter Graeme Hall, "Emmerdale" actor Lawrence Robb, YouTuber John Nellis, and Olympian Tabby Stoecker.
This year's casting has sparked discussion, with some observers noting that several contestants are less widely recognized than the show's professional dancers. YouTuber John Nellis, for example, is noted to not yet have a Wikipedia page. However, sources suggest that producers are intentionally selecting stars with significant social media followings to attract a younger demographic. Chris Appleton, a hairstylist to celebrities like Kim Kardashian, boasts 4 million Instagram followers, while John Nellis has 15.7 million YouTube subscribers.
This strategy appears to mirror that of the U.S. program "Dancing With The Stars," which has leveraged its contestants' online presence, including a "TikTok Night," to increase engagement. The U.S. show's TikTok account has amassed over 5 million followers, significantly more than "Strictly's" 670,000.
"Although your traditional Strictly audience might not know who some of the signings are, that's not as important as bringing in new viewers who are more than familiar with them," a source told The Sun. "Their followers are vast in numbers, enthusiastic and, by sharing content on Strictly, raise the profile of the show massively."
The show is also undergoing changes in its presentation. Longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have departed, with a new trio of hosts stepping in: comedian Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis, and fan-favorite professional dancer Johannes Radebe. All three new hosts have substantial online followings.
Additionally, there has been a significant reshuffling of the professional dancers. Some popular dancers, including Nadiya Bychkova and Karen Hauer, have been replaced by newer professionals, some of whom have large social media followings. This shift has led to criticism from some, including former judge Arlene Phillips, who questioned whether the new pros possess sufficient dancing skills alongside their online presence.
An insider suggested that the changing media landscape, with a decline in traditional avenues like boybands and soap opera stars, has led to an increased reliance on social media influencers to fill celebrity casting for shows like "Strictly Come Dancing." The new season is set to premiere next month, offering viewers the chance to see how these changes will impact the show's performance and appeal.
