Emma Willis grimaces as she joins her fellow new Strictly hosts Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe to learn a dance routine ahead of the show's launch

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 11:33 EDT, 21 August 2026 | Updated: 11:45 EDT, 21 August 2026 Emma Willis grimaced as she got to grips with a dance routine ahead of the launch of Strictly Come Dancing next month. The presenter, 50, will host the BBC show alongside comedian Josh Widdicombe, 43, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe, 39, after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down last year. And Josh took to Instagram on Friday to tease a behind-the-scenes look at what is going on in rehearsals. In one photo, an anxious Emma bit her nails as she fuelled up on caffeine during a dance, while another showed the three sharing a sneak peek of the script. Josh captioned the post: 'Lovely couple of days in London prepping and learning a dance with these legends. Oh my, not long now…' Viewers won't have long to wait for the return of Strictly Come Dancing, which has undergone a huge revamp with new hosts and professional dancers. Emma Willis grimaced as she got to grips with a dance routine ahead of the launch of Strictly Come Dancing next month The presenter, 50, will host the BBC show alongside comedian Josh Widdicombe, 43, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe, 39The first show of the new series will air on September 19 when the celebrity and professional pairings are revealed. The first episode is pre-recorded and the following week will mark the return of the live shows, where the new batch of stars will compete for the first time.The first live show will take place on September 26, which is the celebrities' first chance to perform and get their scores. But there's no elimination that week as the first couple is normally eliminated after the following weekend's performances and public vote, on October 4.It has been confirmed that the final for this year's series will take place just days before Christmas Day on December 19. Over the weekend it was revealed that the spin-off show, It Takes Two, will be hosted by former contestant Ellie Taylor.Emma, who hosts a Saturday lunchtime show on BBC Radio 2, was the first to share the news publicly after months of speculation. In one photo, an anxious Emma bit her nails as she fuelled up on caffeine during a dance, while another showed the three sharing a sneak peek of the scriptEllie joined Emma on her programme for a 'Strictly special' where her new role was announced, as Emma gushed she is 'so glad they are in it together'. Emma told listeners: 'With me right now is the brand new host of It Takes Two! Mystery host of It Takes Two...' before revealing it was Ellie.Ellie said: 'I am over the moon! I feel giddy. So nice to get the secret out. I've had the theme tune in my head since I found out... I was like "stop it woman!"'It was the same when I found out I was a contestant. I am so thrilled to be back in the Strictly world. I found out a month ago, but I've been a good girl.'I told mummy and my partner. I didn't tell the kids.' Sharing a statement about the news, Ellie said: 'What a total joy to return to Strictly in this new role. I feel incredibly honoured to follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal line-up of hosts who've made Strictly: It Takes Two so loved over the years. 'I can't wait to immerse myself in all the gossip and sequins flying out of the ballroom in order to bring my fellow Strictly fans everything they need to know. I'm so excited, I could cha cha! (But I won't – don't worry… no one needs to see that again.)'Ellie was hotly tipped to be announced as the new host of the show earlier this month after the former hosts were axed.STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS LACEY TURNER AGE: 38BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'DELTA GOODREMAGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albumsWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'CACH MERCERAGE: 25BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencerWHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'DAME SARAH STOREYAGE: 48BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'BETHANY ANTONIA AGE: 28BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the DragonWHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALLAGE: 59BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) BadlyWHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'TABBY STOECKER AGE: 25BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racerWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'MELANIE WALTERS AGE: 64BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & StaceyWHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.' DANI DYERAGE: 30BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny DyerWHY STRICTLY?: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'CHRIS APPLETONAGE: 43BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer LopezWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'WILL BESTAGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TVWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'JAIME WINSTONEAGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb RaiderWHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS AGE: 44BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester CityWHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'LAWRENCE ROBBAGE: 34BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV's EmmerdaleWHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!'JOHN NELLIS AGE: 33BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channelWHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!'