Strictly Come Dancing 2026: First look at Week 1's live show as songs and dances are confirmed
It's going to be a spectacular eveningStrictly Come Dancing 2026‘s ballroom is set to light up live for the first time tomorrow night – and now all the songs and dances have been revealed.
Last week, fans got to meet this year’s 15 celebrities in the annual pre-recorded launch show.
But now things are really hotting up, as the celebs and their partners are poised to perform their first routines live on air.
Ahead of their big night, the BBC has given us a first look. And it’s fair to say Strictly is back for 2026 with a bang!
Strictly Come Dancing 2026: First look at live show
New judging trio Emma Willis, Josh Widdicome and Johannes Radebe will no doubt be full of nerves as they open the live show.
Last week’s pre-record was almost a rehearsal, but now the fun and games really begin.
The show will start with a spectacular group dance performed by this year’s professionals. The dazzling number will take place under an array of pretty lights and was recorded last month.
The ladies are dressed in metallic silver and the gents are in tuxedos. It couldn’t be more Strictly!
Fans will also get to see Emma, Josh and Johannes strutting their stuff alongside judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke. No pressure, guys!
It’s then onto the big one. The first routines of the year. Each celebrity and professional pair will take to the ballroom floor and show the judges just how good – or bad – they are at dancing.
What are the Strictly Week 1 songs and dances?
To get us prepared, the BBC has revealed exactly what dances each couple will be performing this weekend.
They have also shared the songs they will be performing them to.
They are:
Bethany & Nancy – Quickstep to Stop This Flame by Celeste
Dani & Nikita – Samba to Lush Life by Zara Larsson
Delta & Kai – Samba to Baianá by Barbatuques
Jaime & Carlos – Tango to I Feel Love by Donna Summer
Lacey & Vito – Cha Cha to How Will I Know by Whitney Houston
Melanie & Aljaž – Cha Cha to Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Elton John and Kiki Dee
Dame Sarah & Julian – Quickstep to C’est Magnifique by Kay Starr
Tabby & Mark – Jive to Animal by KATSEYE
Cach & Maddie – Quickstep to I Just Might by Bruno Mars
Chris & Amy – Tango to No Roots by Alice Merton
Graeme & Lauren – Cha Cha to Hound Dog (Smokey Joe’s Café version)
John & Katya – Foxtrot to Ordinary by Alex Warren
Lawrence & Jowita – Paso Doble to Aperture by Harry Styles
Shaun & Alexis – Cha Cha to Lil Boo Thang by Paul Russell
Will & Dianne – Samba to Rock DJ by Robbie Williams
What time is Strictly Come Dancing on?
This Saturday’s episode of Strictly Come Dancing is a bumper one.
Given that it is the first live show of the series, and all 15 couples will be performing, it’s longer than your average film.
The show kicks off on BBC One at 6.15pm on Saturday evening (September 26, 2026). It will then run for a full two hours and 30 minutes, ending at 8.45pm.
Get ready to strap in!
