The Strictly Come Dancing 2026 launch show, broadcast on Saturday, September 19, unveiled the full list of celebrity-professional pairings for the upcoming 13-week series. Among the 15 couples announced, Quinton-born actress Bethany Antonia will dance with professional Nancy Xu, making them this year's only same-sex pairing.
New presenters and a star-studded line-up
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been succeeded by three new hosts: Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and former Strictly professional Johannes Radebe. The trio fronted the launch show, which introduced a celebrity-packed cast ready to compete for the coveted Strictly trophy.
Bethany Antonia, known for her role as Lady Baela Targaryen in the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, is paired with Nancy Xu. Xu has yet to win the main series but claimed victory in the 2023 Christmas special alongside EastEnders' Jamie Borthwick. Antonia, who publicly came out as gay in 2024 after sharing a screenshot of a racist direct message on Instagram, commented at the time: "Wait till they find out I'm gay too..."
Returning favourites and debutants
Love Island star Dani Dyer returns after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals last year, partnering with Ukrainian dancer Nikita Kuzmin, who was runner-up in 2025 with Amber Davies. Emmerdale's Lawrence Robb, known for playing Mackenzie Boyd, is paired with 2022 winner Jowita Przystal, who also won The Greatest Dancer in 2020.
Big Brother co-host Will Best follows in the footsteps of AJ Odudu, who placed third in 2021 before injury forced her withdrawal. Will dances with Dianne Buswell, who won Strictly two years ago with comedian Chris McCausland and welcomed her son Bowden with ex-partner Joe Sugg earlier this year.
World-renowned hairstylist Chris Appleton, who has worked with Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair and Vogue, is partnered with Welsh professional Amy Dowden, now in remission after a stage three breast cancer diagnosis in 2023. Actress Jaime Winstone, daughter of Ray Winstone, dances with Carlos Gu, who won the 2025 series with Karen Carney.
Soap stars and sports icons take the floor
EastEnders' Lacey Turner, famed for playing Stacey Slater, is paired with Italian professional Vito Coppola, who won in 2023 with Ellie Leach. Reigning Love Island champion Cach Mercer, also a model and DJ, partners with eight-time World Dance Champion and Strictly newcomer Maddie Ingoldsby.
Gavin and Stacey's Melanie Walters, celebrated for her role as Gwen West, dances with Aljaz Skorjanec, who won in his debut 2013 series with Abby Clancy and has since reached two further finals. Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem, who represented her country at Eurovision earlier this year, is paired with Kai Widdrington, a 2012 Britain's Got Talent finalist and two-time Christmas special winner.
Former Premier League footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips partners with Alexis Warr, the first Latin and ballroom dancer to win So You Think You Can Dance. Olympic skeleton athlete Tabby Stoecker, a Team GB representative, is paired with Canadian debutant Mark Karmalita.
Birmingham talent and record-breaking Paralympian
Graeme Hall, known as The Dogfather from Channel 5's Dog's Behaving (Very) Badly, dances with Birmingham-born Lauren Oakley, who is still seeking her first Strictly crown. Dame Sarah Storey, Britain's most successful Paralympian with 19 gold medals across cycling and swimming, partners with Australian performer Julian Caillon, who joined the show in 2025.
Northern Irish YouTuber John Nellis, described as one of the UK's "biggest sports content creators", completes the line-up with Katya Jones, the 2017 winner who last year finished fifth with Emmerdale's Lewis Cope. Strictly Come Dancing continues every Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
