Things have reached a sorry pass when it is not the contestants but the dance show itself which is on its last legs, but this is where we are with Strictly.
Now in its 24th series, this former jewel in the BBC‘s crown returned on Saturday night, a tarnished tiara in comparison to the sparkle of its former greatness.
The line-up boasted three new hosts and five new pro dancers plus a Niagara of nonentities vying for the glitterball trophy, thundering about in their freshly unboxed jazz shoes like wildebeest.
Even with my star-spotting lorgnettes perched eagerly on nostrils professionally primed for any sniff of celebrity, the view from the sofa was disappointing.
Who were these duds in the fringed frocks and spangled shirts?
The class of 2026 includes Hollywood ‘hair king’ Chris Appleton; content creator John Nellis; the omelette lady from Gavin & Stacey, a ‘philanthropist’ called Delta; a random called Cach from Love Island; someone named Graeme who is a ‘canine expert’; plus a total Dingle from Emmerdale, if you get my drift.
As they paraded through the ballroom of broken dreams, they made Cuthbert, Dibble and Grubb seem like A-list movie stars clamouring around an Oscar podium.
Earlier on Saturday night there were more celebrities in my local branch of Waitrose than there were on this show, and I’m not even joking.
Dani Dyer and professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin star in this year’s series of Strictly
Television personality Emma Willis (pictured, centre), former Strictly professional Johannes Radebe (right) and comedian Josh Widdicombe (left) seemed absolutely thrilled to be there
The trio have taken over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who departed the BBC show at the end of the 2025 series
A new era needs new hosts, and television personality Emma Willis, former Strictly professional Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe seemed absolutely thrilled to be there – and it was nice that someone was.
‘Never in a million years did I think it would be the three of us standing in this spot,’ said Johannes, who spoke for us all.
Perhaps it is too soon to judge, but the three-presenter format seems awkward and forced.
Emma is a total pro, even if she did ask someone from EastEnders if ‘being in the ballroom is very different from home life for you’. Yet neither Johannes’ muddy diction nor Josh’s sniggering are alluring.
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly left last year – perhaps they felt they’d had more than enough after a series of scandals rocked the show and made many faithful fans lose faith.
I won’t miss Tess – there are fringed lampshades with more to contribute to showbusiness – but Claudia undeniably brought an irreplaceable spark, wit and style. She has gone off to Celebrity Traitors, and the tragedy and irony is that she has taken all the celebrities with her.
Look at the stars appearing on that series this season – including James Blunt, Jerry Hall, Michael Sheen and Ross Kemp.
Once, this would have been the dream Strictly line-up, but that is the problem. Now, with plummeting viewing figures and a lustre that’s lacking, Strictly can only dream.
The class of 2026 boasted three new hosts and five new pro dancers
Actress Jaime Winstone has been partnered with Carlos Gu, who will be hoping to replicate his 2025 win with Karen Carney
British skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker is with another new pro Mark Karmalita
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton is with show veteran and fan favourite Amy Dowden
Yet there is still much to admire in this family-friendly show. The sheer creative power and energy of the production team who put this behemoth together every year is wondrous to behold – Saturday night’s six-minute opening number was testament to the skill and talent of all involved.
Just look at the costumes, the hair, the make-up, the music, the lighting, the dancing, the choreography! These elements are still tremendous, the BBC at its best.
Yet the new way of pairing the couples seemed unnecessarily complicated, and why is everything so shrieky and LOUD?
There are 13 weeks to go until the final, so time will tell if any of these changes will work. Yet the truth is that Strictly feels like it has overstayed its welcome.
When it launched in 2004, Tony Blair was our prime minister and Facebook had just been launched. It was a long, long time ago. For how much longer can Strictly stagger on?
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
LACEY TURNER
AGE: 38
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC’s EastEnders
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m so excited and terrified at the same time but I’ve had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.’
DELTA GOODREM
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!’
CACH MERCER
AGE: 25
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!’
DAME SARAH STOREY
AGE: 48
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain’s most successful Paralympian
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.’
BETHANY ANTONIA
AGE: 28
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.’
GRAEME ‘THE DOGFATHER’ HALL
AGE: 59
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!’
TABBY STOECKER
AGE: 25
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!’
MELANIE WALTERS
AGE: 64
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.’
DANI DYER
AGE: 30
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!’
CHRIS APPLETON
AGE: 43
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars – including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.’
WILL BEST
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!’
JAIME WINSTONE
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.’
SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
AGE: 44
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!’
LAWRENCE ROBB
AGE: 34
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV’s Emmerdale
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!’
JOHN NELLIS
AGE: 33
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channel
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!’
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