STRICTLY Come Dancing is back, having returned for its 24th series with a new set of hosts and 15 celebrity hopefuls.
The 2026 instalment of the is set to introduce a flurry of changes, but what is the schedule for this year’s dance competition?
When does Strictly 2026 finish?
Series 24 premiered on on Saturday, September 19.
The launch show introduced us to the new set of co-hosts, the replacements for the beloved duo and .
In addition to the change in presenters, the new series also welcomes five .
Of course, we also met the latest batch of celebrities participating in the show, who this year found out who their partners would be via .
A week after the launch show, the live shows commence on Saturday, September 26.
Nobody is knocked out in Week One, which means the first result won’t take place until Week Two – and will be broadcast on Sunday, October 4.
The first themed special of the competition, where couples dance to iconic film soundtracks with cinematic costumes and set designs, Movie Night will take place on Saturday, October 10.
Fittingly, Halloween Week lands directly on Halloween night this year (Saturday, October 31), featuring elaborate makeup, spooky staging, and horror-inspired routines.
Looking further ahead, every year the set moves from its London studio to the historic, spiritual home of British ballroom dancing, Tower Ballroom for one week only – and 2026 proves no different.
It’s always a key target for the celebrity contestants, and this series, the Blackpool special is set to take place on Saturday, November 21.
The traditional late-stage Musicals Week theme celebrating West End and Broadway showtunes takes place on Saturday, December 5, as the remaining couples push for a spot in the semi-finals.
New episodes of Series 24 are set to air weekly until the Grand Final, which is scheduled for Saturday, December 19.
The key dates for Series 24 of Strictly Come Dancing:
- Launch Show: Saturday, September 19
- First Live Show: Saturday, September 26
- First Elimination Results: Sunday, October 4
- Movie Week: Saturday, October 10
- Halloween Special: Saturday, October 31
- Blackpool Special: Saturday, November 21,
- Musicals Week (Quarter-Final): Saturday, December 5
- Grand Final: Saturday, December 19
Who are the new Strictly hosts?
After 11 years on the show, and left their successors with some big shoes to fill.
The responsibility falls to , marking the first time ever Strictly has recruited three presenters to host the show as a trio.
Johannes has been a professional dancer on Strictly since 2018, now taking off the ballroom shoes to help host this year’s show.
Comedian and presenter has already admitted he is ahead of appearing in his new headline position on Strictly.
But his experience hosting Radio 5 Live’s Fighting Talk, and previously appearing on the 2024 Strictly Christmas special should be enough to calm his nerves.
As for Emma, she was regarded as a “safe pair of hands” when offered the role.
The 50-year-old boasts a prestigious presenting career which includes reality shows and , as well as , which she is hosting for the last time this year.
Who is in the Strictly 2026 line-up?
The cast is as follows:
- – played Stacey Slater in EastEnders on and off for 21 years, and was the first name announced back in June
- – returns after fracturing her ankle in rehearsals last year, forcing her to withdraw before week one
- – Kim Kardashian’s go-to stylist says he knows his way around a salon floor, but the dancefloor is another story
- – the Australian singer joins following her Eurovision Song Contest appearance, having turned down the chance to dance on Strictly in 2025
- – played Gwen West in Gavin and Stacey, and works as a qualified personal trainer
- – the Big Brother host admits he has no idea whether he can dance
- – the Love Island winner’s dance background has already
- – Britain’s most decorated Paralympian with 30 medals, 19 of them gold
- – played Barbara Windsor on screen, and bosses will be hoping dad Ray turns up
- – the ex-Man City and Chelsea winger played for England at World Cup 2010
- – plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon
- – Channel 5’s Dogfather was welcomed with a post asking who was ready to fetch the Glitterball
- – the Emmerdale star says he is terrified
- – the Belfast YouTuber worked as an air traffic controller until 2022
- – won mixed team skeleton gold at Milano-Cortina, and has also filmed as a new Gladiator
