Strictly Come Dancing Overhaul: New Hosts and It Takes Two Vodcast

Strictly Come Dancing is set for a major overhaul. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they would step down from their presenting duties, leaving a significant gap in the show’s familiar dynamic.

In addition, professional dancers Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas will not return. This change marks a notable shift in the cast lineup, which usually features around 15 professional dancers each season.

Katya Jones is reportedly staying in the lineup, but the official cast for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 has not yet been announced. The BBC typically reveals the cast in mid to late September, so fans await further details.

It Takes Two, the popular companion show, is reportedly transitioning to a vodcast format. This marks a significant creative renewal for the program—“There is definitely a creative renewal on the table,” insiders suggest.

Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Motsi Mabuse are likely to return as judges. Their experience has been essential; they have collectively judged over 40 seasons of dance competitions on television.

In 2025, Karen Carney and Carlos Gu won Strictly Come Dancing. Their victory highlighted the show’s ability to produce memorable moments year after year. Yet with the departure of established hosts and dancers, how will this affect future seasons?

The BBC has plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 to be confirmed in due course. Auditions for new hosts are ongoing with a shortlist of nine possible presenters—this suggests that the network is taking its selection process seriously.

Officials have not confirmed the exact date for the return of Strictly Come Dancing 2026. Fans can expect an announcement soon about both the hosts and the format of It Takes Two.

With Claudia and Tess now gone, it needs to be handled with utmost care. The changes signal an important phase for Strictly Come Dancing as it aims to retain its status as a beloved show on BBC One.