The 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing kicked off with a fresh line-up of celebrities and professional dancers, drawing attention to the return of a familiar pair: Nikita Kuzmin and Dani Dyer. The duo had previously competed together in the 2024 series, but Dyer had to withdraw from the 2025 series due to an ankle injury. This year, they were re-paired, which sparked some fan debate. Some viewers questioned whether the pair had an "unfair advantage" because of their prior experience dancing together. Others pointed out that Dyer had not progressed past the first week in 2025, unlike Jamie Laing, who returned in 2019 but was not paired with his original professional partner. The celebrity pairings were determined during a speed-dancing challenge on the launch show, which aired on Saturday (19 September). This year’s line-up included a notable all-female duo, Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu, as well as new professional dancer Maddie Ingoldsby, who partnered with Love Island star Cach Mercer. The show also introduced new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe. The trio shared that they would share presenting duties equally, with Radebe noting that Emma Willis had been a supportive presence throughout the process. The 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing continues next week, with the celebrities set to perform their first dances with their professional partners. The show remains a popular mix of entertainment and competition, drawing both longtime fans and new viewers. As the series progresses, audiences will be watching closely to see how these new pairings perform and whether any past relationships between celebrities and professionals influence the competition. Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show where celebrities learn to dance with professional partners in a series of challenges. The format has been a staple of British entertainment for over two decades, with viewers voting for their favorite pair each week.