Strictly Come Dancing announces couples as 2026 season kicks off

After months of anticipation, Strictly Come Dancing has finally returned to our TV screens, with an array of famous faces ready to show off their dance moves in the hope of lifting the Glitterball Trophy.

During the launch show on Saturday (19 September), this year's celebrities were coupled up with their professional dancers as new hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe confirmed who will be waltzing with who.

The celebs, including EastEnders star Lacey Turner and Team GB athlete Tabby Stoecker, will now have some time to practice with their pro, before hitting the dance floor later this month. Here are the couples competing for the Glitterball Trophy this year.

Lacey Turner & Vito Coppola

EastEnders legend Lacey has been partnered with Italian dancer Vito, who has been on Strictly Come Dancing since 2022. Lacey previously admitted she is a "huge fan" of the BBC show, and is looking forward to "learning a new skill".

Tabby Stoecker & Mark Karmalita

British skeleton racer Tabby will be taking to the floor with one of this year's new additions to the professional line-up, Canadian Mark Karmalita. Tabby previously said she was "over the moon" to be taking part in the series this year.

Will Best & Dianne Buswell

Big Brother host Will will be practicing his moves with Australian dancer Dianne, who has been a firm favourite on Strictly since 2017. Will has already admitted that he has "no idea" if he can actually dance.

Dame Sarah Storey & Julian Caillon

Dame Sarah is the most successful British Paralympian of all time, and she'll get to take to the floor with Australian dancer Julian, who joined the BBC series last year. Dame Sarah previously said that she "can't wait to get started".

Shaun Wright-Phillips & Alexis Warr

Former footballer Shaun has been partnered with American dancer Alexis, who also began her Strictly journey in 2025. Shaun recently said: "Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I'm super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!"

Lawrence Robb & Jowita Przystal

Emmerdale actor Lawrence will be having a go at perfecting his dancing skills alongside Polish dancer Jowita, who has already won the Glitterball Trophy once since joining in 2021. Lawrence previously revealed that Strictly is one of his "favourite TV shows of all time".

John Nellis & Katya Jones

Northern Irish football content creator and YouTuber John will be hoping to dance his way to victory alongside Russian star Katya, who has been a firm fixture on the BBC show for 10 years now.

Melanie Walters & Aljaz Skorjanec

Gavin & Stacey star Melanie is teaming up with Slovenian dancer Aljaz, who has many a Strictly series under his belt. Melanie admitted that she is "completely thrilled and happy" to be a part of this year's line-up.

Jaime Winstone & Carlos Gu

Actor Jaime has been partnered with Chinese dancer and choreographer Carlos, who joined Strictly back in 2022. Jaime said: "I can't wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!"

Dani Dyer & Nikita Kuzmin

The Love Island star will learn her moves alongside Ukrainian dancer Nikita, who joined the BBC series back in 2021. Dani is having a second go at Strictly success, after she was forced to pull out early on in the 2025 series after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals.

Bethany Antonia & Nancy Xu

House of the Dragon actor Bethany has been partnered up with Chinese dancer Nancy, who has been a familiar face on Strictly since 2019. Bethany said of her participation: "I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on."

Delta Goodrem & Kai Widdrington

Australian singer Delta will be hoping to Waltz her way to victory with English dancer Kai, who joined Strictly in 2021. Delta said she's "absolutely thrilled" to be taking part in the 2026 series.

Chris Appleton & Amy Dowden

Kim Kardashian's hairdresser Chris will compete for the Glitterball Trophy alongside Welsh dancer Amy, who joined Strictly almost a decade ago in 2017. Speaking ahead of the launch, Chris said he couldn't "wait to get started".

Cach Mercer & Maddie Ingoldsby

Cach has been partnered with English dancer Maddie, who is another new face on Strictly this year. Love Island star Cach said he had "grown up watching the show", and described dancing as a "passion".

Graeme Hall & Lauren Oakley

Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly star Graeme will be dancing with British professional dancer Lauren, who joined Strictly in 2022. Ahead of the launch, The Dogfather said taking part is a "dream come true".

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 26 September on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.

The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton's life, is here. Buy Dolly in newsagents or online.

Kirsty is a freelance writer and editor specialising in all things entertainment. Over the past 16 years, she has worked on showbiz desks at various national newspaper websites in London, including Express.co.uk, The Sun, and MailOnline.

More recently, she spent three years living in New York City writing celebrity and lifestyle news for DailyMail.com, The Mirror US, and Daily Express US. Kirsty graduated from Southampton Solent with a BA in Magazine Journalism and Feature Writing. When she's not watching reruns of Sex and the City, you'll find her listening to David Bowie and daydreaming about an espresso martini.