The Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line-up surprised many with strong opening performances on their first night on the dance floor. Several stars, including Lacey Turner, Bethany Antonia, and Nancy Xu, impressed with their talents. Football content creator John Nellis topped the leaderboard and moved the nation to tears, while Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hall could well be the next Bill Bailey. Australian popstar Delta Goodrem, known for her music career, also showcased her sensational dancing skills. Dani Dyer, who had to drop out of the show last year due to injury, returned with a high-energy samba. Big Brother host Will Best, who was given the daunting honor of opening the show, struggled with his dance but captured the essence of Strictly Come Dancing with his enthusiasm and genuine love for the show. Despite his relatively low score and mediocre dancing ability, some believe he could go all the way through sheer warmth, grace, and likeability. His performance was compared to former Towie star Pete Wicks, who also made it to the semi-finals despite not being the best dancer. The show's new chapter with Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe was marked by Will Best's opening performance to Robbie Williams' "Rock DJ." His position at 11th on the leaderboard was considered a fair assessment based on talent alone, but some believe he could rise quickly. The opening night highlighted not only the dancers' abilities but also the charm and personality that often make Strictly Come Dancing a beloved part of the television calendar.