Overview
- The BBC, which confirmed the 2026 line-up on Wednesday, named 15 returning professional dancers and kept judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
- Five professionals are out for 2026, with Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas exiting and Gorka Marquez citing a clash with Dancing With The Stars Spain.
- New professional dancers will join the cast, and the broadcaster says the names and the new hosting duo will be revealed closer to the show’s return.
- Signature features are locked in for the new series, including Movies, Icons, Halloween and Musicals weeks, the Instant Dance challenge and the annual Blackpool Tower Ballroom special.
- Reigning pro champion Carlos Gu returns alongside fellow fan favorites, following a 2025 run that averaged about 7.8 million viewers and drew 8.6 million for the Grand Final.