Strictly Come Dancing 2026's celebrities unite for first-look group shot ahead of brand new series
There's sequins aplenty!Strictly Come Dancing 2026‘s celebrities have been pictured all together for the first time ahead of the new series.
This year’s stars have slipped into their sequins and ballroom shoes and gathered together for a photograph.
We’re pretty sure a lot of them are sporting a fresh spray tan, too!
The new series of Strictly Come Dancing kicks off in just over a week, but they all look like they’ve been doing it for years.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 celebrities unite for first group picture
There are 15 famous faces competing in the ballroom this year. Rehearsals are very much underway and the pre-recorded opening show has already been filmed.
The BBC is, however, keeping the details of the pairings a closely guarded secret. We’ll have to wait a little longer to find out which professional is dancing with which celebrity.
In the new photo, the contestants look primed and ready to go. The men are all wearing shirts in different shades of red, while Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly star Graeme Hall is in purple. He’s also removed his glasses – and trademark cravat!
The ladies also look stunning in their shimmering frocks. They’re coordinated perfectly in pink, purple, red and gold.
Dani Dyer, posing on the far left, looks particularly happy to be back in all the Strictly gear. The former Love Island star, who is the daughter of actor Danny Dyer, had a disastrous first attempt at the BBC show.
Dani was forced to pull out of Strictly 2025 before the launch show had even aired. She fell during rehearsals and broke her ankle.
Fingers crossed this year will be a lot better!
Who else is in Strictly this year?
Standing next to Dani in the front row is Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey. Stood alongside her is EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, football legend Shaun Wright-Phillips, actress Bethany Antonia and Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters.
Actress Jaime Winstone and Big Brother host Will Best look right at home on the end!
Online football commentator John Nellis kicks off the back row from the left – and he couldn’t look happier. He’s standing alongside soap star Lawrence Robb, ‘The Dogfather’ Graeme, Olympian Tabby Stoecker and hairdresser to the stars, Chris Appleton.
Australian actress and singer Delta Goodrem and Love Island’s Cach Mercer complete the back row.
When does Strictly Come Dancing 2026 start?
This year’s Strictly launch show will kick off on Saturday September 19, 2026. The show starts at 7.25pm and will run until 9.15pm on BBC One. You’ll also be able to watch it on BBC iPlayer.
You can’t vote in this show, as it is pre-recorded. But from Saturday September 26, the lines will open for the first time this year.
Hands up if you’re excited? Or should we make that ‘jazz’ hands up?
