Strictly Come Dancing 2026 first look as Emma Willis joins new presenting line-up

Strictly Come Dancing has unveiled new first-look images ahead of the show's return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this weekend.

The pictures give fans their first glimpse of Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe presenting the show together for the first time.

Strictly returns on Saturday 19 September with a revamped launch show promising more dancing than ever before.

When is Strictly Come Dancing 2026 on BBC One?

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7.25pm on Saturday 19 September.

Strictly stars prepare for another spectacular series of dancing. (Picture: BBC)

The 2026 series will then air every weekend until Christmas, with viewers getting their first proper look at this year's celebrity contestants and their professional partners.

A one-minute trailer released earlier this month introduced the new presenting line-up alongside the Strictly judges, professional dancers and celebrity cast.

The trailer showed the stars dancing together on a studio backlot as they prepare for the new series.

How will the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 pairings be revealed?

This year's launch show will feature a major change to the way the celebrity contestants discover their professional partners.

For the first time, each celebrity and professional dancer will discover their pairing in front of the Strictly studio audience.

New professional dancers join returning Strictly stars for 2026. (Picture: BBC)

The pairings will be revealed through three specially choreographed group dance routines, giving the launch show a fresh format.

Viewers can expect plenty of high-energy performances and surprises as the celebrities are put to the test before discovering who they will be dancing with.

What happens on the Strictly Come Dancing launch show?

The full routine featured in the trailer will open this year's launch show.

The episode will also take viewers behind the scenes as the celebrities begin their dance rehearsals with their professional partners.

Last year's champion Karen Carney will also return to the Strictly dancefloor.

She will perform her iconic football-themed jive with Carlos Gu, giving viewers another chance to see the routine that helped her lift the Glitterball Trophy.

Who are the new Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers?

The 2026 series will also introduce five new professional dancers to the Strictly line-up.

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 reveals first look. (Picture: BBC)

Aleksandra, Cristian, Lethabo, Maddie and Mark will make their Strictly debuts as part of a spectacular group number.

The new professionals hail from the UK, Canada, Italy, South Africa and Ukraine.

They have all achieved international acclaim in dance and join the show as some of the newest talents to take to the Strictly ballroom.

The launch show will give viewers their first opportunity to see the five new professionals perform alongside the returning Strictly dancers.

With a new presenting team, five new professionals and a new celebrity pairing reveal, this year's launch show is set to give fans plenty of changes to discover when Strictly returns.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7.25pm on Saturday 19 September.