Strictly Come Dancing is dropping pre-filmed introduction videos for its 2026 series to bring back live partner reveals for celebrity contestants on the dancefloor.
The BBC ballroom contest will revert to its pre-Covid format during the launch show on September 19, when famous contestants and professional dancers meet for the first time.
Television dog trainer Graeme Hall, 59, revealed the format change on Radio Northampton this week. Hall, who hosts Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly on Channel 5, is one of 15 celebrities joining the show.
He explained that neither the celebrity contestants nor the professional dancers have any say in who they are paired with for the competition.
"This year, they're doing it slightly differently," Hall said. "We don't find out until the launch show. You have no say in it, the pros have no say in it."
In recent years, the production team filmed pairings in introductory video tapes produced at locations around the country. The upcoming series marks a return to the traditional live reveal format used before the Covid pandemic.
Strictly Come Dancing is the flagship Saturday night celebrity dance competition broadcast by the BBC, featuring stars paired with professional ballroom dancers.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 launch schedule
The launch episode on September 19 will be pre-recorded, showing the moment the couples meet on the dancefloor. Live competition episodes will begin the following week, when the new line-up performs for the judges and public for the first time.
No couples will be eliminated during the first live show. The first elimination will take place after the following weekend of performances and public voting on October 4.
Producers have also confirmed that the series final will take place on December 19, just days before Christmas Day.
Fan reactions and viewer demographics
Hall also addressed reactions to the newly announced cast, following social media comments from some fans branding the line-up the worst to date.
While the cast features prominent stars including former Love Island winner Dani Dyer, Australian singer Delta Goodrem, actress Jaime Winstone, television presenter Will Best, and Gavin & Stacey actress Melanie Walters, critics claimed several contestants were unrecognisable.
Producers are aiming to attract Gen Z viewers aged 14 to 29, even though current audience data shows the majority of Strictly viewers belong to Gen X, aged 46 to 61, and the Baby Boomer generation, aged 62 to 80.
To reach younger audiences, the line-up includes high-profile social media figures. Celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton boasts four million Instagram followers, while football content creator John Nellis commands 15.7 million subscribers on YouTube.
Hall dismissed concerns about contestant fame, noting that viewer unfamiliarity is a recurring reaction every year.
"I think you get it every year, it's this 'oh I don't recognise a single one of them. They're not celebs'," Hall said. "But do you know what? I was watching it last year and I thought George was great, I didn't know him from Adam when he was on."
Speaking about his own appearance on the show, Hall added: "It's a dream come true. There are not a lot of people in the world that have had the chance to do this. So I'm just going to love every minute, enjoy it for what it is and hope it keeps going as long as possible."
EastEnders soap star and Australian pop icon join cast
EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, 38, is among the stars heading to the ballroom. She is best known for playing Stacey Slater on the long-running BBC soap opera set in East London.
"I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor," Turner said.
Australian singer and actress Delta Goodrem, 41, has also signed up. Goodrem played Nina Tucker in the Australian soap Neighbours and has released eight music albums during her career.
"I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!" Goodrem said.
Love Island winners and Paralympic champions
Reality television star Cach Mercer, 25, won Love Island 2025 and works as a TikTok influencer.
"I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast," Mercer said. "Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!"
Dame Sarah Storey, 48, is Britain's most successful Paralympian, having competed across cycling and swimming events.
"Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting," Storey said.
Actress Bethany Antonia, 28, plays Lady Baela Targaryen in HBO fantasy drama series House of the Dragon.
"I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill," Antonia said.
TV hosts and winter sports champions
Graeme Hall, 59, known as "The Dogfather," hosts the hit Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly.
"I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!" Hall said.
Skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker, 25, is an Olympic champion athlete.
"I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!" Stoecker said.
Actress Melanie Walters, 64, is widely known for playing Gwen West in the hit BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey.
"Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room," Walters said.
Returning favorites and international stylists
Television personality Dani Dyer, 30, won ITV reality show Love Island and is the daughter of actor Danny Dyer. She is returning to the ballroom after previously withdrawing due to injury.
"I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!" Dyer said.
Celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton, 43, works with international stars including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez.
"I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience," Appleton said. "I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new."
Presenter Will Best, 41, hosts reality show Big Brother and has previously worked on various television broadcasts.
"I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this," Best said. "And I cannot wait!"
Film stars, footballers and soap actors
Actress Jaime Winstone, 41, has starred in British feature films including Kidulthood and Tomb Raider.
"I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me," Winstone said.
Former professional footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, 44, played for Premier League clubs including Chelsea and Manchester City.
"Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!" Wright-Phillips said.
Actor Lawrence Robb, 34, plays Mackenzie Boyd on long-running ITV soap opera Emmerdale.
"I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!" Robb said.
YouTube presenter John Nellis, 33, is the face of a popular football-focused online video channel.
"I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!" Nellis said.
