What Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Changes: New Hosts, Five New Pros, and a Twist
Summary: Readers will learn what the BBC has confirmed about Strictly Come Dancing's 2026 relaunch, including its new presenting trio, 15-celebrity lineup, returning judges, and the format details that have not yet been explained.
The ballroom is getting a new front-of-house team. The BBC has confirmed that Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe will front Strictly Come Dancing for the 2026 series. Radebe's move stands out because he spent years as a professional dancer on the show before becoming a host. Willis and Widdicombe bring television and comedy backgrounds to the launch.
Why This Series Is Being Treated as a Relaunch
Strictly Come Dancing is the BBC's celebrity ballroom competition. Each series pairs well-known names with professional dancers and lets viewers vote them through. The 2026 edition is being framed as a fresh start. According to the BBC's Media Centre, five new professional dancers will be introduced, fifteen celebrities are waiting to be paired with their partners, and a twist is promised. The BBC has not explained what that twist involves.
The judging panel stays the same. Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke return, which gives the new series a familiar anchor. The incoming celebrities will still face the same four judges, but the structure around them is shifting.
What the Launch Show Actually Does
The launch show has a job to do before any competitive dancing begins. It introduces the fifteen celebrities, reveals the pairings, puts the five new professionals on the floor, and sets up the rivalry that will run for the rest of the series. Karen Carney, the reigning champion, will also return to the dancefloor in what the BBC describes as an epic performance. Her presence links the new era to the show's recent history without relying on another full season from a past winner.
The launch airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 19 September from 7.25pm. The competition itself begins the following Saturday, meaning the first episode is more about the reveal than the scoring.
Why the Format Details Matter
The BBC has not yet said exactly how the twist will work or how the new hosts will divide their duties. What is clear is that the show wants to present itself as changed, not just renewed. A bigger cast, an expanded hosting trio, and a wave of new professionals are visible signals to viewers that this is not the same program as last year.
The emphasis on a relaunch also raises the stakes for the new presenters. Willis, Widdicombe, and Radebe will be the figures most closely associated with this new era. Whether the twist turns out to be a small staging change or a major structural one, the response will be measured against the promise of a new start. For now, the only confirmed details are the ones the BBC chose to reveal before the dancers take the floor.