Four famous faces have already been confirmed for the 24th series of Strictly Come Dancing — and this year, the show is undergoing some of its biggest changes in years. The BBC's beloved ballroom competition returns in September 2026, but with new presenters and an updated roster of professional dancers, fans are eager to see how the new lineup will shake up the dance floor.
Strictly Come Dancing is a BBC reality competition in which celebrities are paired with professional dancers to learn ballroom and Latin routines, with couples eliminated weekly by a combination of judges' scores and public votes. The 2026 series will be the first to feature new co-hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, replacing previous presenters. The professional dancers have also been refreshed, though exact details are still emerging.
“What is the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 lineup? Four celebs announced and what's new.”
Four contestants have been announced so far. The first was EastEnders star Lacey Turner, who has played Stacey Slater since 2004 and won multiple awards for the role. She said she is "a huge fan" and "can't quite believe" she will be taking part. The second was former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer, daughter of actor Danny Dyer, who had to withdraw from last year's series due to injury. She said she is "so excited" to return and hopes to "make it to week one" this time. The third is Australian singer and Eurovision star Delta Goodrem, who finished fourth at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest and has also been a judge on The Voice Australia. She said she is "absolutely thrilled" to join Strictly and has never danced in a ballroom before. The fourth is celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton, best known for working with Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez. Appleton said he "can't wait to get started."
Strictly is a British cultural institution, regularly drawing millions of viewers on BBC One. The annual lineup announcement is a major media event, with fans speculating for months about which celebrities will take to the floor. The 2026 series also marks a transitional period with new presenters, following the departure of long-time hosts Tess Daly and, previously, Claudia Winkleman (though Claudia's role may have changed — the sources confirm Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe as new presenters). This shake-up adds fresh interest for regular viewers.
Q: When does Strictly Come Dancing 2026 start? The new series doesn't start until September 2026. The BBC has not yet announced a specific premiere date, but the show typically airs on Saturday evenings in the autumn.
Q: How can I watch Strictly Come Dancing? Strictly is broadcast on BBC One in the UK and is also available on BBC iPlayer. Episodes are usually shown on Saturday nights, with the results show on Sunday.
Q: Who else might be in the 2026 lineup? The BBC is still announcing contestants gradually. Beyond the four confirmed celebrities — Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem and Chris Appleton — several other names have been rumoured but not officially confirmed. Fans should expect more announcements in the months leading up to September.
What happens next: The BBC will continue to reveal celebrity contestants in the weeks ahead, building up to the full lineup. Meanwhile, the show's production team will be finalising the professional pairings and preparing for the launch night in September 2026. With new presenters and a mix of familiar and fresh faces, this year's Strictly is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about in the show's history.