The Strictly Come Dancing 2026 launch show will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday, September 19, at 7:25pm. This marks the start of the popular dance competition series, which brings together celebrities and professional dancers to compete in a variety of dance styles. The show will be hosted by new presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, following the departure of longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Five new professional dancers—Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby, and Mark Karmalita—will join the series, replacing established professionals like Karen Hauer and Nadiya Bychkova. During the launch show, celebrity contestants will meet their professional dance partners in front of a live studio audience. This format, used from 2010 to 2019, was changed during the pandemic when pairings were revealed through pre-recorded video segments. Fans have welcomed the return to the traditional method, sparking excitement and speculation about possible pairings based on social media clues and past relationships. Confirmed celebrities set to compete include Dani Dyer, Lacey Turner, Will Best, Chris Appleton, and Melanie Walters. Melanie Walters has teased that she already knows who her partner will be, though she hasn't revealed the identity. The launch show was recorded in advance, and some online theories about pairings have been debunked by those who attended the filming. The judging panel will include returning favorites Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke. Contestants this year include Lawrence Robb from Emmerdale, actress Jaime Winstone, singer Delta Goodrem, Love Island’s Cach Mercer, Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, and Olympic skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker. The mix of familiar faces and new talent promises an exciting season of dance and drama.