Strictly Come Dancing 2026: Everything You Need To Know
BBC / Strictly Come Dancing
The glitterball is spinning into a whole new era. After Tess Daly and The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman bowed out together at the end of the 2025 series (and their final Christmas special), the BBC is shaking up its flagship dance show for autumn 2026.
Keep scrolling for the lowdown on what fans can from Strictly Come Dancing 2026.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Release Date
Strictly is set to return to BBC One and iPlayer in autumn 2026. While an exact launch date hasn’t been confirmed, expect the usual format: a glitzy launch show in mid-September followed by live episodes starting late September.
The series is also expected to run through to December as usual.
BBC / Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Cast
The star-studded lineup for this year’s Strictly has not yet been announced. Historically, the BBC reveals the contestants in the summer, typically from August onward, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
Professional dancer shake-up
Several longtime pros have reportedly been axed to make room for new energy alongside the hosting changes. As The Sun reports, names like Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas are among those said to be stepping back.
In March 2026, the show’s executive producer, Sarah James, confirmed that Karen Hauer would be leaving Strictly after 14 years. Later that month, Nadiya Bychkova announced she would also be departing the BBC ballroom after 9 years.
“Strictly has allowed me to discover new sides of myself, develop new skills, and evolve as an artist in ways I will always be grateful for,” Bychkova wrote on Instagram. “This isn’t the end… I look forward to being part of the Strictly world for many years to come in ways I am beginning to explore.”
BBC / Strictly Come Dancing
New Strictly Come Dancing Hosts
Perhaps the biggest question surrounding the 2026 series is who will take over the Strictly reigns from Tess and Claudia.
Per the Daily Mail, a shortlist of frontrunners has emerged in recent weeks, with Alex Jones (The One Show) among the BBC’s top picks for Tess’s role. Other names in the mix include Zoe Ball, Alison Hammond, Angela Scanlon, Emma Willis, Fleur East, Sara Cox, and Mel Giedroyc.
It was also reported in March that Rylan Clark is the BBC’s favourite to fill a male hosting slot on the show, with sources claiming the former X Factor star is a “ratings winner.”
As The Sun reports, Strictly: It Takes Two hosts Fleur East and Janette Manrara are also on the chopping block for the new series. “Bosses want a completely new look and fresh start for the show,” one source claimed.
Who’s Turned The Job Down?
Not everyone is saying yes to the coveted position. Amanda Holden called the initial rumour list “boring” and confirmed she and Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr are “100 percent” not in the running. Alan cited his 2027 tour clashing with Strictly’s Saturday nights. Bradley Walsh has also stepped back from speculation, saying it would “ruin my weekend.”
