The BBC and BBC Studios today confirm plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026, as the eagerly anticipated new series gets ready to once again light up Saturday and Sunday nights this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Made by BBC Studios Entertainment, Strictly Come Dancing remains as the biggest Entertainment title for viewer hours on the BBC plus the latest series attracted an average audience of 7.8m viewers (main show average on 28-Day BARB 4-Screens) with 8.6m tuning in to the Grand Final to see Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu lift the Glitterball Trophy.

This year a dynamic and world class roster of returning Professional Dancers will be joined by fresh top talent from the international dance world, bringing an exciting mix of experience and showmanship to the Strictly ballroom.

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

In addition to the returning Pros, there will be brand new professional dancers joining the line-up in 2026. The new Pros will be confirmed closer to the return of the show as the 24th spectacular series comes to screens in Autumn 2026. 

Back once again for the new series will be the esteemed judging panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas who will be casting a watchful eye over the performances each week, giving their expert view on the dances and delivering their all-important scores.

Then there will be the much-loved themed weeks including Movies, Icons, Halloween and Musicals plus the Instant Dance challenge will also be back, following its high-energy debut in 2025. As well as all this, one of the most iconic milestones of the series, the annual visit to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom, will once again be a highlight for everyone to look forward to.

Further plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026, including the new hosts, new Professional Dancers joining the line up and the celebrity cast of 2026, will be confirmed in due course.

Strictly Come Dancing is a BBC Studios Entertainment production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and was commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC. The Executive Producer is Sarah James, the Series Editors are Nicola Fitzgerald and Jack Gledhill. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Jo Wallace.