Strictly Come Dancing’s 2026 celebrity and pro dancer pairings revealed in full after launch show twist

IT’S THE news that all Strictly fans have been waiting for – the cast’s pro dance partners have been announced. The launch show kicked off in spectacular style, with the celebrity dancers finding out who they are teaming up with for season 24 of the hit BBC One series. The Strictly Come Dancing celeb and pro dancer pairings have been revealed in tonight’s show Credit: BBC Meet the Strictly class of 2026 Credit: BBC The likes of Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Willl Best and Jaime Winstone are set to go head-to-head in a bid to win the famous Glitterball Trophy. Fans of the primetime ballroom competition have been desperate to know who the celebrities will be dancing with. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! On tonight’s launch show, new Strictly Come Dancing hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe announced who would be paired with who. So here are all of the dance pairings who will be waltzing into the ballroom, and trying to impress the judges… Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola Lacey Turner is swapping Albert Square for the dancefloor Credit: BBC She’ll be twirling round with Vito Coppola in the 2026 series Credit: PA Lacey Turner became the first celebrity contestant announced to be taking part in Strictly this year – and now we know who she is paired with. The EastEnders star will be hoping to scoop the Glitterball Trophy with Vito Coppola. The actress has a good shot at winning, as the Italian dancer is already a Strictly champ after he was victorious with another soap star, Ellie Leach, back in 2023. On joining Strictly, Lacey said: “I am so excited to be making my way to the dancefloor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing!” Most read in TV Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin Dani Dyer returns to Strictly after injury forced her out of last year’s competition Credit: BBC She’s re-coupled with Nikita for her dancing return Credit: PA Love Island winner Dani Dyer is taking to the dancefloor with Nikita Kuzmin, after first being paired with the dancer last year. The reality star is back for a second shot after she had to pull out a year ago after hurting her ankle. But the former villa champ is hoping that she will stay away from injury this time and make it to the famous dancefloor. Meanwhile, Nikita is popular with fans, after joining the show in 2021, and making it to the final twice. Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden Celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton will be showing off his dance moves Credit: BBC Chris is in safe hands with dance partner Amy Dowden Credit: PA Celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton is in very good hands as he takes to the dancefloor. Kim Kardashian‘s best mate will be waltzing onto the show with Strictly favourite Amy Dowden. Chris said: “I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dancefloor is a whole different story.” Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington Delta Goodrem is showing off her dance skills on this year’s Strictly Credit: BBC The Aussie starlet will be competing with fan-favourite Kai Widdrington Credit: PA Fresh from this year’s Eurovision, singer Delta Goodrem will be swapping her microphone for Strictly this year. The Neighbours star takes to the dancefloor with Kai Widdrington. Delta said: “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! “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!” Melanie Walters and Aljaž Škorjanec Melanie Walter is already being tipped to do well on the show Credit: BBC The Gavin and Stacey legend has been partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec Credit: PA Gavin and Stacey star Melanie Walters will be taking to the dancefloor with Aljaž Škorjanec. The actress’ pro partner is a firm part of the Strictly family having joined in 2013 – and even scooped the Glitterball Trophy that same year with WAG Abbey Clancy. Talking about being on Strictly, Melanie, who is being tipped to do well on the show, said: “Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room. “This year I am completely thrilled and happy to swap my fairy wand for sequinned dance shoes.” Will Best and Dianne Buswell Fans are thrilled with who Big Brother host Will Best has been partnered with Credit: BBC Dianne and Will are set to light up the dancefloor together Credit: PA Big Brother host Will Best is in good hands as he is dancing with Dianne Buswell. The Aussie pro dancer scooped the crown with Chris McCausland, Strictly’s first blind contestant, in 2024. The popular dancer also reached the final with her now fiancé Joe Sugg in 2018, and also with Bobby Brazier in 2023. Fans are loving the fact that Dianne has been paired with Will, with one tweeting: “I’m so happy Dianne is with Will!! That’s who I wanted her to be partnered with.” Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby Love Island winner Cach Mercer is the second former Islander on this year’s cast Credit: BBC Newly single Cach will be putting his best foot forward with new pro Maddie Credit: PA There are TWO Love Island winners in this year’s line-up. Cach Mercer will shimmer onto the dancefloor with newbie Maddie Ingoldsby. However his past dance background has already drawn complaints from fans about an unfair advantage. Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon Dame Sarah Storey is giving Strictly a shot this year after pulling out of Dancing On Ice Credit: BBC The decorated Paralympian has met her match with Aussie pro Julian Caillon Credit: PA Dame Sarah Storey is partnering with Aussie dancer Julian Caillon, who joined the show last year. He certainly proved to be a big hit on the dancefloor, and made it to the semi-final with Balvinder Sopal. Now Julian will be hoping to clinch the Glitterball with Sara, who is Britain’s most decorated Paralympian. The sportstar was due to appear on Dancing On Ice last year but withdrew after fracturing her ankle in training. Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu Jaime Winstone will be waltzing onto the famous dancefloor with her dance partner Credit: BBC Reigning champ Carlos will be hoping to retain his trophy with Jaime Credit: PA Actress Jaime Winstone is in good hands with reigning champ, Carlos Gu. The movie and TV star, who’s dad is Ray Winstone, has been partnered with the popular pro who won the Glitterball Trophy with Karen Carney last year. On joining Strictly, Jaime said: “I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me. “I love a challenge though, so can’t wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!! Let’s get physical – see you on the dance floor!” Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr Former England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is swapping the football pitch for the ballroom Credit: BBC Shaun is hoping he’s scored with partner Alexis Warr Credit: PA Footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips has been teamed up with pro dancer Alexis Warr, who joined the show last year. The son of footy legend Ian Wright could be in line to go far in the competition, as his Strictly 2026 partner made it to the final last year, with YouTuber George Clarke. The former Manchester City and Chelsea winger said of being on the show: “Dancing is in my blood—but mainly at family events! “Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!” Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu House Of The Dragon star Bethany Antonia is taking to the dancefloor in a same sex couple Credit: BBC Nancy Xu and Bethany Antonia are this year’s same sex pairing – and were excited about their match Credit: PA Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu are dancing together for season 24 of Strictly. The Sun was first to reveal that there would be another same sex couple this year. Fans are thrilled with this pairing, with one saying: “THRILLED FOR NANCY!! Not benched and a same sex pairing!! This is what she deserves!!” Meanwhile, House of the Dragon Bethany said: “I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill. See you on the dancefloor!” Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley Dog trainer Graeme Hall is teaming up with a Strictly fan favourite Credit: BBC The trainer becomes the trainee as he partners up with Amy Dowden for the 2026 competition Credit: PA Known as The Dogfather, Graeme Hall has been put with fan favourite Lauren Oakley. The Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly star is in very good hands as the ballroom pro has a great track record on Strictly. The dancer reached the final with JB Gill two years ago. Speaking about joining Strictly, Graeme said: “Come September, you’re gonna see a bit of me on the dancefloor because, yeah, you guessed it, I’m doing Strictly!” Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystał Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb says he is terrified about taking to the dancefloor Credit: BBC The Emmerdale hunk will be quickstepping with former winning pro Jowita Credit: PA Emmerdale star Lawrence Robb will be put through his paces by pro Jowita Przystał. The much-loved dancer has been on Strictly for six years and is also a Glitterball champ. Jowita scooped the coveted trophy with Hamza Yassin in 2022. Meanwhile, soap star Lawrence said: “Help, please. Very much looking forward to it, very exciting, but I’m terrified.” John Nellis and Katya Jones Belfast YouTuber John Nellis will be dancing with a Strictly champ Credit: BBC Fan-favourite Katya has landed herself Youtuber John Credit: PA Belfast YouTuber John Nellis has been lucky enough to also land a former Strictly champ. The sports influencer will be taking to the dancefloor with Katya Jones. The dancer won the show with Joe McFadden in 2017. Katya’s celeb dance partner said: “I can’t wait to earn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!” Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita Tabby Stoecker is paired with A Strictly newbie Credit: BBC Tabby is taking a spin with new pro dancer Mark Credit: BBC Team GB‘s Tabby Stoecker is paired up with Strictly newcomer Mark Karmalita. Although the pro dancer is new to the BBC One show, the sports star is still in good hands. Mark is a two-time National Latin Champion in his native home country of Canada. Tabby said: “’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!” Comment now