Strictly Come Dancing has officially revealed its returning professional dancer line-up for the 2026 series — but fans are already mourning the departure of several major stars from the ballroom.
The BBC confirmed that 15 professional dancers from last year’s series will return when the hit competition comes back to screens this autumn, while also teasing that brand-new professional dancers will join the show later this year.
Among those returning are fan favourites Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden, Nikita Kuzmin, Johannes Radebe, Katya Jones, Jowita Przystal, Vito Coppola, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley, Carlos Gu, Neil Jones, Aljaž Škorjanec, Julian Caillon and Alexis Warr.
The BBC confirmed the full returning line-up in a statement shared on Wednesday, promising a “dynamic and world class roster” for the upcoming season.
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However, the announcement also marks the end of an era for the long-running BBC series after five professional dancers exited the programme earlier this year.
Among the biggest departures is Karen Hauer, the longest-serving female professional dancer in Strictly history, who announced in March that she was leaving after 14 years on the show.
Reflecting on her time in the ballroom, Hauer said: “Strictly completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher, but as a human being.”
She added: “I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people and brilliant celebrity partners who have become close friends and people I admire so much.”
Hauer jokingly said she and departing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman could now “finally be ladies who lunch in the autumn”, although the BBC has still not confirmed who will replace Daly and Winkleman following their exits.
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Also leaving the show is Spanish dancer Gorka Márquez, who spent a decade on Strictly and became one of its most popular professionals.
Márquez did not compete with a celebrity partner last year due to scheduling conflicts linked to his judging role on the Spanish version of the franchise.
During his time on Strictly, he also found love with former contestant Gemma Atkinson, with the pair now sharing two children together.
Announcing his departure, Márquez said: “Being part of the show has been so much more than just a professional opportunity – over the past 10 years, it allowed me to build a career from my passion, find love, start a family, and make lifelong friends.”
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Professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas are also leaving the programme.
Tsiakkas admitted she had hoped to remain on the show longer, writing online: “Of course, as professionals on the show we can never assume our places are guaranteed, but I hoped to have more time.”
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The BBC said replacement professional dancers will be announced closer to the launch of the new series.
The judging panel will remain unchanged, with Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all confirmed to return.
Popular themed episodes including Movie Week, Halloween Week, Musicals Week and the Instant Dance challenge will also make a comeback, alongside the annual trip to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
The celebrity cast for the 2026 series has not yet been announced, though the show is expected to return in September.
The news comes after a turbulent period for the programme in recent years, with the BBC introducing additional welfare measures and backstage support following several controversies involving celebrity contestants and professional dancers.
Despite that, Strictly remains one of the BBC’s biggest entertainment juggernauts, continuing to dominate ratings more than two decades after first launching in 2004.
