Dani Dyer is ready to return to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom after an ankle fracture ended her involvement in the 2025 series before she could compete.
The 30-year-old former Love Island winner joined fellow members of the 2026 cast in unveiling her formal launch portrait, framing her comeback as a “second chance” in a glittering pink sequinned dress.
Dyer’s return gives Strictly a ready-made comeback story
Dyer had been due to take part last year, but fractured her ankle and was forced to withdraw from the competition. Her place in this year’s line-up offers both the contestant and the BBC a compelling narrative before the first notes have even been played.
Posting her image on 11 September, she wrote: “Forever grateful for a second chance… strictly 2026 lets go.”
The message captured the mixture of relief, excitement and full-throttle Strictly glamour that tends to define the contest’s annual launch period. For Dyer, however, the familiar ritual carries added weight. Last year’s injury denied her the experience shared by the rest of the cast, from rehearsal-room mishaps to the first nervous walk beneath the ballroom lights.
Now, she returns as part of a diverse new group spanning television, sport, modelling, grooming and social media.
Cast members turn social media into the opening dance
Jaime Winstone was among the first to share her launch image, posting a photograph of herself in a purple tasselled mini dress alongside a picture of the full celebrity cast. Her message was concise: “See you in the Ballroom.”
Cara Delevingne quickly offered her support in the comments, writing: “YES JAMIE! LETS GO GIRL!”
Lacey Turner, known to millions for her role in EastEnders, embraced the occasion with her own post: “Well I never thought I would say this but here we go… Strictly 20206 lets go!” The caption included “20206” as written.
The posts quickly became a group warm-up act, with celebrities, friends and fellow contestants trading encouragement before the competition begins.
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton captioned his photograph “And we’re off”, prompting his client Kim Kardashian to respond: “OMG OMG you’re gonna kill it!”
Television presenter Will Best leaned into the humour, writing: “IT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING. Me and both my chest hairs ARE DOING STRICTLY!!” He later added: “And with such an amazing gang of fellow dancers too. I’m a very very lucky boy. Honestly still can’t believe it…”
Paralympic cycling legend Dame Sarah Storey also marked the moment, posting: “Pinching myself this is actually happening and alongside this wonderful team. Strictly class of 2026… LET’S DO THIS.”
Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly star Graeme Hall took a lighter approach with a group photograph and the question: “Don’t we scrub up well, eh?”
Social media personality John Nellis kept his expectations open, writing: “Time to find out if I can dance.” Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb was similarly direct: “Guess it’s time to learn about ballroom. Here. We. Go!”
Taken together, the posts show how Strictly’s launch has evolved into a social media event in its own right. The reveal is no longer simply about announcing names; it is the first performance, with costumes, captions and celebrity reactions setting the tone weeks before the opening dance.
A new presenting era begins on BBC One
The 2026 series will also introduce a changed team at the front of the show. Emma Willis, Josh Widdecombe and Johannes Radebe will make their debuts as presenters, taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman following their departure last year.
Their arrival represents one of the most significant shifts in the programme’s recent history. Daly and Winkleman became closely associated with Strictly’s rhythm and identity, guiding contestants through results shows, emotional backstories and the occasional live-television stumble.
Willis, Widdecombe and Radebe now inherit a format that remains a major fixture of the BBC’s weekend schedule, but one operating in a far more fragmented entertainment landscape. Viewers have more choices than ever, while younger audiences often encounter shows through clips and social posts before settling down to watch the full broadcast.
That makes the chemistry of the presenting team crucial. The hosts must preserve the familiarity long-running viewers expect while giving the programme enough freshness to feel like a new chapter rather than a handover.
Radebe brings direct ballroom expertise from his years as a professional dancer on the show. Willis arrives with extensive live television experience, while Widdecombe adds a background shaped by comedy, broadcasting and his previous connection to the Strictly family through his father, comedian and actor Karl.
The judges return as the countdown reaches its final weeks
Shirley Ballas, Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke will all return to the judges’ table for the new run.
Their presence provides continuity alongside the changes elsewhere in the studio. Du Beke, a former professional dancer and multiple-time champion, has become one of the show’s most recognisable voices, while Ballas, Horwood and Mabuse bring their own technical expertise and performance backgrounds.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7.25pm on Saturday September 19. New episodes will air every weekend until Christmas.
Why it Matters
Dyer’s return gives the 2026 series an emotional storyline before the competition has begun, while the new presenting team faces the challenge of refreshing a national institution without losing what makes it work. With a wide-ranging cast, a familiar judging panel and the Saturday-night slot still carrying considerable cultural weight, Strictly’s latest chapter will test whether one of British television’s most dependable entertainment formats can thrive through a period of conspicuous change.