Strictly Come Dancing returns with new hosts and pairings

The BBC's Strictly Come Dancing has launched its 2026 series, marking a new era for the program with a revamped presenting team. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe have taken over hosting duties following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

The launch episode, which drew a peak of 5.8 million viewers, utilized a new format where celebrity and professional pairings were revealed live through choreographed group routines. The 15-couple lineup includes notable figures such as actress Lacey Turner, reality star Dani Dyer, and Olympic gold medalist Tabby Stoecker.

This season features the show's third all-female pairing in its history, consisting of Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu. While the new hosting trio received mixed reactions from viewers, the launch saw a significant increase in viewership compared to the previous year's premiere.