Home / Arts and Entertainment / Strictly's New Era: Surprising Hosts & Star Lineup!
Strictly's New Era: Surprising Hosts & Star Lineup!
17 Jul
Summary
- Greatest Paralympian Sarah Storey joins the cast.
- New hosting trio includes Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe.
- Several long-serving professional dancers have departed.
The 24th series of Strictly Come Dancing is set to captivate audiences in 2026 with an exciting mix of celebrities and a revamped presenting team. Among the confirmed celebrity contestants are Britain's most decorated Paralympian, Sarah Storey, known for her 19 gold medals, and TV presenter Will Best. Social media personality Cach Mercer, with nearly 50 million TikTok followers, also joins the dance floor.
Adding to the significant changes, the show will feature a new hosting trio: Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and Strictly professional Johannes Radebe. This shake-up follows the departure of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman in 2025. The professional dance troupe has also seen several departures, including Karen Hauer and Gorka Márquez.
While the official start date for the 2026 series has not been announced, past seasons suggest a late September launch, likely around September 26. The iconic themed weeks, including movies, icons, Halloween, and musicals, are confirmed to return, alongside the instant dance challenge. The judging panel, featuring Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel Horwood, remains unchanged.
