STRICTLY IS BACK — AND THINGS ARE CHANGING! The brand-new Strictly Come Dancing 2026 trailer has FINALLY dropped, teasing major changes to the launch show that could leave fans stunned
Strictly Come Dancing releases 2026 season trailer and teases launch show changes
Two weeks to go!
With two weeks to go until the launch show for Strictly Come Dancing‘s 2026 season, the official trailer has been released, showcasing the professional dancers, judges and trio of new hosts getting their groove on.
Set in a studio backlot, the trailer features a cover of Peter Gabriel’s ‘Sledgehammer’ as a mix of new and familiar faces strut their stuff. Tying in with the song, Craig Revel Horwood takes a bash at the glitterball.
Johannes Radebe dances with his fellow pros at the start, before coming back later in a different outfit with Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe in tow.
As well as the trailer, some new details have been released about the launch show.
The full routine from the trailer will open the launch show, and the episode will “feature more dancing than ever before”.
That’s because the celebrities will find out the identity of their professional partners during the show, as it was before COVID, but this time they find out during three choreographed dance routines!
The launch episode will also feature footage of the celebrities in their initial dance rehearsals, while Karen Carney will dance her football Jive with Carlos Gu.
BBC
As well as the three new hosts, the line-up of professional dancers is pretty different this time around. Following a host of high-profile departures, five new pros have joined this season and you can out more about them here.
Companion show It Takes Two is also undergoing some changes, as comedian and former contestant Ellie Taylor is now the sole host.
She revealed that the celebrities will be split up from their professional partners and interviewed in groups together, leading to “more candid conversation”, while viewers will get to be involved more than usual.
Strictly Come Dancing returns for its launch show on 19 September on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.
