Strictly Come Dancing returned to screens on Saturday 19 September 2026 with a landmark launch show introducing a fresh presenting team and a reimagined format for discovering celebrity and professional dancer pairings. The show aired on BBC One and at 7.25pm, marking the beginning of a series that will run every weekend until Christmas.
Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe made their debut as the new hosting trio, replacing long-serving presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The trio's arrival represents one of the most significant changes to the show's format in recent years, though the core elements that have made Strictly a fixture of British television remain intact.
What stayed the same?
Despite the fresh faces and new branding, the programme retained its familiar structure and beloved features. The judging panel of Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and head judge Shirley Ballas returned to their positions, with the same set design and no new themed weeks introduced. The returning themed weeks include Movies, Icons, Hallowe'en, Blackpool and Musicals, alongside the Instant Dance Challenge format that proved popular in the previous series.
How does the new pairing format work?
The launch show employed a new pairing format, with the celebrity class of 2026 learning their professional partners through three specially choreographed group routines. This approach meant that the launch show featured more dancing than ever before, as the 15 new famous faces participated in extended ensemble pieces rather than individual introductions.
The opening sequence showcased a full group routine featuring the five new professional dancers joining the line-up this year, setting the tone for an action-packed evening. A cast of 150 performers, including established professionals, celebrities, judges and additional dancers, participated in a supersized opening number that demonstrated the scale of the production.
What visual changes marked the new era?
The show's branding received a subtle refresh. The iconic glitterball logo became shinier and more metallic, the sunburst background shifted from blue to pinky-purple, and the swirly typeface increased in size. These dedates signalled the beginning of a new chapter while maintaining the visual identity that audiences recognise instantly.
How did the new presenters perform?
Emma Willis appeared in a champagne-coloured sparkly dress with a frilly skirt, while Josh Widdicombe wore a black tuxedo with a black shirt and gold-patterned tie. Johannes Radebe performed in sleeveless black with a plunging neckline, embellished cummerbund and pearl jewellery. The presenting trio demonstrated their dancing credentials during the launch, with Willis and Widdicombe performing a cha-cha routine set to a 90s RnB medley followed by My Universe by BTS and Coldplay.
The judges each had moments to shine during the opening spectacle. Shirley Ballas performed Latin wiggles, Anton Du Beke executed ballroom quicksteps, Motsi Mabuse delivered shakes and shimmies, and Craig Revel Horwood struck a giant glitterball with a mallet in a playful display of the show's signature prop.
What happens next?
The first live show of the series is scheduled for Saturday 26 September 2026 at 6.15pm on BBC One, when the newly formed couples will begin their competitive journey. The weekly schedule will continue every weekend through the festive period, with the judges' paddles finally coming into play as the proper dancing and scoring commences.
The launch show represented a significant moment for the long-running programme, balancing innovation through its new presenting team and pairing format with the reassuring continuity of its judging panel, themed weeks and beloved traditions that have sustained its popularity across multiple decades.
