Strictly Come Dancing is set for a major overhaul with the departure of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who have announced they will step down from presenting duties. This change coincides with reports that It Takes Two, the popular companion show, will transition to a vodcast format.
According to documents, professional dancers Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas will not return for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Katya Jones is reportedly staying in the line-up. The judging panel is expected to see familiar faces—Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Motsi Mabuse are likely to return.
The BBC has yet to confirm the official cast for Strictly Come Dancing 2026; however, they have indicated that plans will be finalized in due course. Auditions for new hosts are ongoing with a shortlist of nine possible presenters under consideration. A BBC spokesperson noted that “plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.” This suggests a careful selection process as the network aims to maintain the show’s integrity.
Historically, Strictly Come Dancing has been a staple of BBC One programming since its inception. The show usually returns in mid to late September, but no timeline has been shared regarding its return this year. Observers have expressed concern about how the changes might affect the show’s dynamic.
As Karen Carney stated after winning with partner Carlos Gu in 2025, “I just wanna say thank you to everyone that’s supported our journey.” This sentiment reflects the deep connection fans have with both the contestants and the show itself.
With Claudia and Tess now gone, some insiders suggest that “Strictly is the crown jewel of the BBC” and that it needs to be handled with utmost care during this transition. There is definitely a creative renewal on the table for It Takes Two—sources indicate they are poised to sign off on the radical option of a vodcast.
Currently, it remains uncertain when exactly viewers can expect the new season or who will take over hosting duties. The final list of new hosts for Strictly Come Dancing is still uncertain as well.