Dani Dyer emerges as early favourite for Strictly Come Dancing 2026

Dani Dyer has emerged as the early betting favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing 2026 following her first live performance. Partnered with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, Dyer performed a Samba to ‘Lush Life’ by Zara Larsson, earning a score of 22 points.

The launch of the new series featured a revamped presenting team consisting of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, who replaced long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. According to BBC figures, the launch episode reached a peak of 5.8 million viewers, an increase of 200,000 compared to the previous year.

Other early contenders for the Glitterball Trophy include Lawrence Robb, Delta Goodrem, and Lacey Turner. While no eliminations occurred during the first live show, the contestants' scores will contribute to the ongoing competition.