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Strictly Launch: "Absolute Carnage" Ensues!
25 Sep
Summary
- Head judge Shirley Ballas described the launch show pairings as "absolute carnage."
- New hosts and dancers debut for the 2026 Strictly Come Dancing season.
- The pairings were formed through "speed dancing" routines, causing unexpected matches.
The highly anticipated 2026 season of Strictly Come Dancing has officially begun, but not without its share of "absolute carnage," as described by head judge Shirley Ballas. The launch show, which featured new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, saw the initial formation of celebrity-professional dancer partnerships through "speed dancing" routines.
Shirley Ballas, alongside fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, witnessed a "totally bonkers" and unprecedented pairing process. Ballas expressed her surprise at the unexpected matches, noting that the "chaos and carnage" of the pairing dances made this launch unlike any other.
As the new season commences with live performances, Ballas is eager to see the couples showcase their skills. She advises the celebrity contestants to "listen to your teacher" and "live in the moment," echoing the late Len Goodman's mantra to "Turn up, show up and shut up!"
Reflecting on memorable moments, Ballas recalled Kelvin Fletcher's exceptional samba in week one of the 2019 season. She also shared her enjoyment of working alongside her "Strictly family" and her judging partner, Anton Du Beke, whom she affectionately calls a "naughty school boy."
