Strictly Come Dancing is set for a major overhaul. Early Tuesday, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they would step down from their presenting duties.
Within hours, reports indicated that professional dancers Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas will not return to the show. Katya Jones is reportedly staying in the line-up.
The official cast for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 has not yet been announced. However, Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Motsi Mabuse are likely to return as judges.
It Takes Two has not been officially confirmed as cancelled. But sources suggest it will transition to a vodcast format. “There is definitely a creative renewal on the table for It Takes Two,” an insider said.
Auditions for new hosts are ongoing. A shortlist of nine possible presenters has emerged. The BBC is taking a keen interest in this selection process.
In 2025, Karen Carney and Carlos Gu won Strictly Come Dancing. Carney expressed gratitude to supporters: “I cannot believe it. I just wanna say thank you to everyone that’s supported our journey.”
Historical context shows that Strictly Come Dancing usually returns in mid to late September. However, the exact date for the return of 2026 is still uncertain.
A BBC spokesperson stated, “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.” Observers note that with Claudia and Tess now gone, the show needs careful handling.
This transformation marks a significant shift for the beloved series on BBC One. Fans eagerly await more details on the upcoming changes.