# Dani Dyer participation in Strictly Come Dancing 2026

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dani-dyer-participation-in-strictly-come-dancing-2026
> Updated: 2026-09-26T05:23:12.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Dani Dyer and professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin were announced as partners for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing. This reunion follows Dyer’s withdrawal from the previous year’s competition due to a fractured ankle. While Kuzmin expressed feeling “tears of joy” regarding the pairing, some viewers debated whether the duo held an “unfair advantage” due to their prior training.

Following the first live performance, where Dyer and Kuzmin earned 22 points for a Samba, Dyer emerged as an early betting favourite to win the competition. The new series also introduced a revamped presenting team consisting of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-26: Dani Dyer emerges as early favourite for Strictly Come Dancing 2026

Dani Dyer has become the early favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing 2026 after scoring 22 points in her first live Samba performance with partner Nikita Kuzmin.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dani-dyer-emerges-as-early-favourite-for-strictly-come-dancing-2026

### 2026-09-19: Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin reunited for Strictly Come Dancing

Dani Dyer and professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin have been reunited for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing, sparking both joy for the pair and debate among fans regarding potential advantages.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dani-dyer-and-nikita-kuzmin-reunited-for-strictly-come-dancing

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Cite as: Dani Dyer participation in Strictly Come Dancing 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dani-dyer-participation-in-strictly-come-dancing-2026