Strictly Come Dancing confirms pairings for revamped 2026 season

Strictly Come Dancing made a dazzling return to TV screens tonight, adding a much needed dose of glitter and sparkle to everyone's Saturday nights.

This year's launch show saw the celebrities learn who their professional partner would be live on the night, in a brand new way of pairing the couples.

For the first time ever, each celebrity and pro discovered the identity of their partner in front of the Strictly studio audience via three specially-choreographed group dance routines.

The launch show also took viewers behind the scenes as the celebrities began their dance rehearsals, and we also saw the return of last year's champion Karen Carney, who performed her iconic football jive alongside Carlos Gu.

Below you can find out who this year's Strictly Come Dancing couples are:

• Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola
• Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin
• Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington
• Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden
• Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby
• Will Best and Dianne Buswell
• Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon
• Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu
• Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu
• Shaun-Wright Phillips and Alexis Warr
• Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley
• Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystał
• Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita
• John Nellis and Katya Jones
• Melanie Walters and Aljaž Škorjanec

Maddie Ingoldsby and Marka Karmalita are two of the five new professionals to join the show, and both have a celebrity pairing.

This year, newcomers Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori and Lethabo Monametsi miss out on having a partner, as well as returning pro, Neil Jones.

There is now just one week to go before the first live show, as the celebrities and pros take their steps onto the ballroom for their first choreographed routine.

As we get closer to Saturday night, there is still much to be confirmed, including what the couples will be dancing to. And thankfully, as ever, there will be no elimination in week one as the scores are carried over to the following week.

Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 19 September at 7:25pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.