BBC One has confirmed the fifteen celebrity and professional dancer pairings for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing, which premiered on Saturday 19 September. The production, developed by BBC Studios, marked the first time the partner reveal was executed through three specially choreographed dance routines performed in front of a live studio audience. This format change replaced the traditional ballroom unveiling with a performance-based introduction for the new season.
The new hosting trio of Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe led the launch episode, steering the audience through the initial pairings. The contestant list includes a mix of sports figures, actors, and media personalities. Dame Sarah Storey is partnered with Julian Caillon, while footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips dances with Alexis Warr. Other notable pairings include Will Best with Dianne Buswell and Lawrence Robb with Jowita Przystał. The full roster also features Bethany Antonia, Cach Mercer, Chris Appleton, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Graeme Hall, Jaime Winstone, John Nellis, Lacey Turner, Tabby Stoecker, and Melanie Walters, each matched with their respective professional counterparts.
The series is distributed across BBC One and BBC iPlayer, ensuring simultaneous access for linear and on-demand viewers. The sixteen-week competition structure remains standard, with weekly eliminations determining progression to the final. The production team finalized the pairing list following a review of the celebrity candidates' physical capabilities and broadcast suitability. Bethany Antonia is paired with Nancy Xu, Cach Mercer with Maddie Ingoldsby, and Chris Appleton with Amy Dowden. Dani Dyer works with Nikita Kuzmin, while Delta Goodrem partners with Kai Widdrington. Graeme Hall is paired with Lauren Oakley, and Jaime Winstone with Carlos Gu. John Nellis dances with Katya Jones, and Lacey Turner with Vito Coppola</em