What time does Strictly Come Dancing start today? BBC start time and how to watch launch show
Get your jazz hands ready as Strictly Come Dancing returns! 💃🕺
Dust down your score cards because Strictly Come Dancing will be waltzing back onto our TV screens in a matter of hours.
The beloved BBC reality series, which simply screens autumn has arrived, is entering a new era this weekend. Viewers will soon be acquainted with not only a new cast of celebrities on the ballroom floor but a new trio of hosts following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the end of 2025.
Emma Willis, Josh Widicombe, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe have been limbering up to take on the presenting duties. I’m sure audiences are equally excited to see how they get on as a team!
The launch show for the 2026 series is finally upon us and fans won’t want to get caught out by the schedule. Fortunately, we’ve rounded up all the key information that you simply need to know.
Here’s what to expect from Strictly Come Dancing tonight (September 19).
When does Strictly Come Dancing start in 2026?
The beloved reality series is finally set to return to our TV screens. Having announced the cast back during the summer, the show is set to begin tonight (September 19).
Unlike the rest of the season, there will be just one episode this weekend - as it is the launch show. But normal service will resume from next Saturday (September 26).
How to watch Strictly Come Dancing this year?
Despite the big changes in 2026, one thing will remain the same, Strictly Come Dancing continues to have a home on the BBC. The flagship reality series will once again be broadcast on the Beeb’s main channel every weekend throughout the autumn and into December.
Strictly will be twirling and two-stepping onto BBC One and iPlayer from tonight (September 19).
Who is in the cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2026?
The line-up this year is as eclectic as usual, mixing legends and household names with a few surprises. Dani Dyer is back after having to withdraw from the competition due to injury last year.
The full cast for 2026 is as follows:
- Actress Lacey Turner
- Dani Dyer
- Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem
- World-renowned conceptual hair stylist Chris Appleton
- Social media star and Love Island champion Cach Mercer
- Presenter Will Best
- Great Britain's most successful Paralympian of all time, Dame Sarah Storey
- Actress Jaime Winstone
- Actress Bethany Antonia is swapping Westeros for Elstree
- Ex-footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips
- From dog training to dance training, Graeme Hall
- Lawrence Robb is swapping the Dales for the dancefloor
- Olympian Tabby Stoecker
- YouTuber John Nellis
- Actress and Gavin & Stacey icon Melanie Walters
Who are the new presenters on Strictly?
The new presenting line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 features three hosts - for the first time ever.
Presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe will preside over the Strictly ballroom in spectacular style this autumn.
What time is Strictly Come Dancing on today?
The launch show is set to begin at 7.25pm tonight (September 19), it has been confirmed. Strictly is set to run for nearly two hours this evening in a supersized treat for fans.
The grand launch of the 2026 series is set to finish at 9.15pm and will be followed by Wisdom of the Crowd. For those who can’t watch it live this weekend, it will also be available on demand via iPlayer.