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, Nadiya Bychkova, and Michelle Tsiakkas are among those said to be stepping back. The full pro roster usually drops in early April.
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 seven frontrunners has emerged in recent weeks, with Alex Jones (The One Show) tipped as the BBC’s top pick for Tess’s role. Other names in the mix include Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Alison Hammond, Angela Scanlon, Emma Willis, Fleur East, Sara Cox, and Mel Giedroyc.
There’s even buzz about adding a third host to “freshen things up” — possibly including a male co-host for a trio format never seen before on the main show.
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.”
