The BBC has officially confirmed its returning Strictly Come Dancing 2026 dancer line-up and judging panel, after several high-profile culls from the cast.
The broadcaster has also said that there will be a roster of brand new professional dancers joining the line-up.
But these new additions will not be confirmed until ‘closer to the return of the show’ this autumn.
The names returning to the fold include Katya Jones, Neil Jones and Nancy Xu, whose futures had reportedly been in doubt amid the mass shake-up of pros.
An official announcement from Strictly reads: ‘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.’
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Back once again for the new series will be the judging panel, including Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
The list of Strictly Come Dancing pros returning in 2026
- 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
- Vito Coppola
They will be joined by longtime head judge Shirley Ballas, who recently caused fears among fans that she might be exiting amid a new spin-off show she is judging with her son Mark for Dancing on Ice.
The BBC statement on Strictly’s 2026 return continued: ‘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.’
The BBC also reiterated that Strictly ‘remains the biggest entertainment title for viewer hours’ on the broadcaster.
The latest series, which saw Lioness Karen Carney and Carlos Gu triumph, had 8.6million tune in to watch her victory.
This comes after several Strictly pros have already announced their exits ahead of the upcoming season, including Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez and Karen Hauer.
We now know the judging line-up and which professional dancers will be back, but the identity of the show’s new hosts remains a mystery.
Since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman exited last year, the BBC has reportedly held auditions in the hunt for their replacements, but no announcement has come yet.
Strictly Come Dancing will be back on the BBC this autumn.
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