Strictly Come Dancing unveils first look at new hosts

Strictly Come Dancing has shared a first look at the new 2026 hosting trio during tomorrow night’s (Saturday 19 September) launch show.

The Voice UK and Love Is Blind host Emma Willis, The Last Leg comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe were confirmed as the new presenters of the main show earlier in 2025, after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they would be stepping down.

And now, the BBC has given fans a first look at the new presenting trio (above), while also sharing a picture of the judges in action (below), and another of reigning champion, Karen Carney (below), who’s set to perform in the launch show.

This year’s line-up features the likes of EastEnders’ Lacey Turner, Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb and Love Island’s Dani Dyer.

Also set to appear are Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Waters, YouTuber John Nellis, Olympian Tabby Stoecker, and many more.

But the new cast won’t be the only ones stepping onto the dance floor, with Willis recently teasing that she, Johannes and Josh will be taking part in a big number to kick off the season.

Speaking The One Show on Thursday (17 September), Willis said that participating in the dance was “terrifying,” while Radebe, who was previously a professional dancer on the show, said it was “the easy part”.

Widdicombe added: “We had to do this in this big performance with all the dancers, all the celebrities, all the judges…”

Willis added that “the judges directly behind us as we were dancing,” while Widdicombe said: “We were waiting to film and I just felt [something] behind me, and it was Shirley going ‘your posture!'”

Alongside new hosts on the main show, spin-off It Takes Two is also seeing a presenter shake-up this time around, with Ellie Taylor taking the reins from previous hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East.

Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 19 September at 7:25pm to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.

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