Strictly Come Dancing 2026: BBC Confirms September Return, Three New Hosts and Lacey Turner as First Celebrity

BBC Confirms Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Will Return in September With Three New Hosts and Lacey Turner as First Celebrity

Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe will lead the show as a trio for the first time in its history, with the judging panel unchanged and EastEnders actress Lacey Turner confirmed as the first celebrity contestant.

The BBC has officially announced that Strictly Come Dancing will return this September with the most significant overhaul in the show's 22-year history — replacing its long-standing dual-host format with a presenting trio and confirming the first celebrity contestant for the 2026 series.

The new hosting trio

For the first time in the show's history, Strictly Come Dancing will have three hosts. Presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe, and comedian Josh Widdicombe are set to lead the competition when it returns this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The announcement marks the end of the Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman era. Both presenters had hosted the show together since 2014, with Winkleman having joined Daly as co-host following the departure of Sir Bruce Forsyth. Neither the BBC nor either presenter has officially confirmed the reasons for both departures at this time.

The BBC confirmed that Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe have been announced as the new hosts for Strictly Come Dancing 2026, marking a significant change with three presenters for the first time. 

Radebe's appointment is particularly notable he becomes the first professional dancer from the show's competitive cast to step up as a full presenter, bridging the gap between the pro dancefloor and the presenting desk in a single role.

Other News-

-Trump Takes Tough Line on CUSMA/USMCA Review, Drawing Trade Tensions With Neighbors

-Taylor Swift at Knicks Game 4 | Knicks Pull Historic Comeback vs Spurs | NBA Finals

-Faster Labor Contracts Act Vote: House Approves Major Labor Reform Bill Amid National Debate

First confirmed celebrity: Lacey Turner

The BBC has confirmed EastEnders actress Lacey Turner as the first celebrity contestant for the 2026 series. Turner, who has played Stacey Slater on EastEnders since 2004, is among the most recognisable soap actresses in British television. No further celebrity contestants have been officially confirmed by the BBC at the time of writing.

Judges, format, and returning professionals

The judging panel will remain unchanged, with Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke all returning to score the celebrity contestants. 

Among the returning professional dancers confirmed by the BBC are Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, and Vito Coppola. 

Fan-favourite themed weeks including Movies Week, Halloween, Icons, and Musicals will all return for the 2026 series. The Instant Dance Challenge, which made its debut last year, is also set to make a comeback. The annual trip to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom will once again feature in the series. 

Professional departures

According to a report in The Sun, longtime professional dancers Gorka Márquez and Luba Mushtuk will not be appearing in the 2026 series, with newcomer Michelle Tsiakkas also said to have departed. A source told the publication: "Bosses want a fresh start and to bring in new faces after all the drama in recent years and create a new era." A BBC spokesperson said plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 would be confirmed "in due course." The BBC has not officially confirmed the departure of any specific professional dancer. 

When does it start?

The BBC has confirmed Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will officially start in September. An exact broadcast date has not yet been confirmed by the BBC.

The unique angle worth noting: the decision to appoint Johannes Radebe — a current professional dancer and three-time finalist — as a co-host while he presumably remains part of the show's professional cast is unprecedented in Strictly's format. No previous professional dancer has taken on a presenting role while remaining eligible to be paired with a celebrity contestant. Whether Radebe will compete as a professional in 2026 alongside his hosting duties, or whether his appointment effectively ends his dancing participation, has not been officially confirmed by the BBC.