The full line-up for the 2026 season of Strictly Come Dancing has been officially confirmed, with the show set to return to our screens on Saturday, September 19. This date marks the start of the series, which will feature the first episode showcasing celebrity contestants paired with professional dancers. This initial episode has been pre-recorded, while the live episodes will begin the following week on September 26. The first elimination is scheduled for October 4, with the final set to air on December 19. The 2026 season brings notable changes to the show. Longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have left, and their roles will now be taken on by Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe. Additionally, several professional dancers have departed the show, including Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Gorka Márquez. In their place, Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will be "benched," meaning they will be part of the show but without a celebrity partner for this season. The 2026 cast includes a mix of celebrities from various backgrounds. Among them are Melanie Walters, partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec; John Nellis, paired with Katya Jones; Olympic gold medallist Tabby Stoecker with Mark Karmalita; and Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb with Jowita Przystal. Other notable pairings include former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips with Alexis Warr, and Bethany Antonia with Nancy Xu. The line-up also features a range of talents, such as Jaime Winstone with Carlos Gu, Dame Sarah Storey with Julian Caillon, and Will Best with Dianne Buswell. Additional celebrities include Cach Mercer with Maddie Ingoldsby, Chris Appleton with Amy Dowden, Delta Goodrem with Kai Widdrington, and Dani Dyer with Nikita Kuzmin. The season promises to bring a mix of entertainment, athleticism, and drama as the celebrities compete for the coveted title of Strictly champion.