It’s officially that time of year again as the BBC released their first trailer for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 on Saturday.
With the countdown on until 15 new celebrities hit the dancefloor, they aren’t the only ones who will be nervous as new hosts Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe also take to the floor for the first time.
Making their debut in the all singing all dancing trailer, the pair looked positively ‘Strictly-fied’ as they emerged out of a golden Strictly trailer alongside their fellow host Johannes Radebe.
After Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down at the end of last year’s series – the BBC are now trialling a three host format for the first time.
After Johannes assured fans they would still get to see him dancing, the trailer sees him performing alongside his fellow professionals and much-loved judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke.
As the professional dancers perform a high-energy routine on a studio backlot, Josh, Emma and Johannes are then unveiled in a burst of golden light as they emerge out a Strictly trailer.
Performing a few moves themselves, it is all gold and glamour ahead of this year’s series which will launch on September 19.
Strictly Come Dancing first look: Hosts Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe get glammed up as they make their dancing debut alongside Johannes Radebe in new series trailer
It is all gold and glamour ahead of this year’s series which will launch on September 19 (pictured Anton Du Beke dancing with Katya Jones)
However the couple pairings will work slightly differently this year.
While in the past the celebrity has had their professional dancer unveiled to them in a pre-filmed clip, this year the stars will discover the identity of their partner in front of the Strictly studio audience via three specially-choreographed group dance routines.
The full routine will open this year’s Strictly launch show – which will feature more dancing than ever before.
The launch show will also take viewers behind the scenes as the celebs begin their dance rehearsals.
Plus the return of last year’s champion Karen Carney, who will dance her iconic football jive with Carlos Gu.
The professionals returning this series are Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Carlos Gu, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington , Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley, Julian Caillon and Vito Coppola.
It was revealed earlier this year that Nadiya Bychkova, 37, Karen Hauer , 43, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, Luba Mushtuk , 36, and Gorka Marquez, 35, have all been given the boot.
Meanwhile the line-up itself has come under fire as many of the celebrities have been deemed unrecognisable to viewers.
Some of the best known of the line-up are Dani Dyer , Delta Goodrem , Jaime Winstone, Will Best and Gavin & Stacey actress Melanie Walters.
Stars such as Kim Kardashian’s hair stylist Chris Appleton might not be a household name, but he does boast a huge social media following with four million fans on Instagram.
John Nellis has an even bigger fanbase, with 15.7 million YouTube subscribers.
Indeed, while bosses may be keen to attract Gen Z (14 to 29 years old), the majority of Strictly viewers are currently Gen X (46 to 61 years old) and Baby Boomers (62 to 80 years old).
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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