Everything you need to know about Strictly 2026 with CBBC

Get ready to hit the dance floor because Strictly Come Dancing 2026 is here! Discover everything you need to know about this year's series, including the celebrities, brand-new professional dancers and new hosts. Plus, take our fun quiz to find out which Strictly pro would be your perfect dancing partner!

What information do we collect from this quiz?

When is Strictly Come Dancing on?

Strictly is on every Saturday night on BBC One and streaming on iPlayer! Add the show to your watchlist now to never miss an episode.

Follow the 2026 competition with CBBC

Make sure you stay tuned to Strictly Come Dancing on CBBC to play games and quizzes as you watch the new series!

Play our quiz above to find out which Strictly professional you would be partnered up with in the class of '26. 🪩

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 celebrity stars

In the cast of this year's Strictly, we have an Olympic athlete, various actors and social media stars, and even a ex England footballer! Find out more about this glamorous cast of contestants below.

Who is Lacey Turner?

Lacey Turner is an award-winning actress, best known for her role as Stacey Slater on EastEnders.

Who is Dani Dyer?

Dani Dyer is a English television personality and actress.

Who is Delta Goodrem?

Delta Goodrem is an Australian singer and actress.

Who is Chris Appleton?

Chris Appleton is a multi-awarding hair stylist and has worked with massive stars like Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.

Who is Cach Mercer?

Cach Mercer, a DJ and social media personality.

Who is Will Best?

Will Best is a TV and radio presenter.

Who is Dame Sarah Storey?

Dame Sarah Storey is Great Britain's most successful Paralympian won 19 gold medals and a total of 30 Paralympic medals across swimming and cycling.

Who is Jaime Winstone?

Jaime Winstone is an actress and has appeared in lots of films, TV dramas and stage shows during her career.

Who is Bethany Antonia?

Bethany Antonia is TV and stage actress and has in appeared in shows like Doctor Who.

Who is Shaun Wright-Phillips?

Shaun Wright-Phillips is a former England footballer who played for clubs including Manchester City, Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers.

Who is Graeme Hall?

Graeme Hall is a presenter and author Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hall, known for helping owners and their dogs.

Who is Lawrence Robb?

Lawrence Robb is a soap actor who is best known for his role in ITV's Emmerdale.

Who is Tabby Stoecker?

Tabby Stoecker is an Olympic athlete, who won Olympic gold in the mixed team skeleton event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Who is John Nellis?

John Nellis is a football content creator is known for his entertaining videos about the sport.

Who is Melanie Walters?

Melanie Walters is a TV and stage actress best known for playing Gwen West in the BBC comedy series Gavin & Stacey.

Find out more about the celebrity line up on Newsround!

BBC

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 professional dancers

Returning to the dance floor later this year are: Dianne Buswell, Julian Caillon, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola.

In addition to the returning Pros, there are five brand new professional dancers joining the line-up in 2026, they are Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita.

You can find out which 2026 professional dancer you would be paired up with in the quiz above! Let us know who you got in the comments. 

But if you want to find out which professional dancer the celebrities will be paired with, make sure to check out the launch show on Saturday 19th September where all will be revealed!

(Images: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 judges and presenters

All four judges are back again this year!

They are:

  • Shirley Ballas - Head Judge

  • Craig Revel Horwood

  • Motsi Mabuse

  • Anton Du Beke

And finally, there will be a new presenting line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 features three hosts - for the first time ever.

Presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe.

(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Play Strictly Come Dancing games and quizzes for free on CBBC

Play as your favourite Strictly professional in Feel The Rhythm!

What's new in Strictly Come Dancing 2026?

There are five new Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers, they are Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita.

  • Aleksandra Isaeva is a multiple Ukrainian National Latin Champion, Aleksandra is ranked in the world’s top 21 Latin dancers.

  • Cristian Priori is a four-time Italian Latin Champion who was ranked in the World’s top 24 Latin dancers for eight consecutive years.

  • Lethabo Monametsi is an undefeated South African Latin Champion who first fell in love with dance after watching the South African version of Strictly Come Dancing.

  • Maddie Ingoldsby is a UK National Ballroom Champion and eight-time Amateur 10-Dance World Champion from Bournemouth, who was previously also crowned World Rising Star and Under 21 World Ballroom Champion.

  • Mark Karmalita is a two-time National Latin Champion in his native Canada, and a Canadian Championship winner and finalist across multiple age groups.

And for the first time in Strictly Come Dancing history, there will be three new hosts will be presenting the show this year! Presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe will be joining this years Strictly. 

New Strictly professional dancers, Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita.