The BBC has published the full roster of routines and musical accompaniments for the opening live edition of Strictly Come Dancing 2026, set to air this Saturday. The announcement follows the launch episode that introduced the fifteen celebrity‑professional pairings, and confirms the songs each couple will perform as they step onto the ballroom floor for the first time.
Dance‑by‑Dance Breakdown
Actor Bethany Antonia and her partner Nancy Xu will open the night with a quickstep to Celeste’s “Stop This Flame”. Musician Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington follow with a samba set to Barbatuques’ “Baiana”. Jaime Winstone, paired with reigning champion Carlos Gu, will tackle a tango to Donna Summer’s classic “I Feel Love”. EastEnders’ Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola are scheduled for a cha cha to Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know”, while Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec also take on a cha cha, this time to Elton John and Kiki Dee’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”.
Paralympic legend Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon will perform a quickstep to Kay Starr’s “C’est Magnifique”. Olympian Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita will jive to Katseye’s “Animal”, and Love Island victor Cach Mercer alongside Maddie Ingoldsby will quickstep to Bruno Mars’ “I Just Might”. Further routines include a tango from Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden to Alice Merton’s “No Roots”, a cha cha by Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley to the Smokey Joe’s Cafe rendition of “Hound Dog”, and a foxtrot for social‑media personality John Nellis and Katya Jones to Alex Warren’s “Ordinary”.
Emmerdale star Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystal will deliver a paso doble to Harry Styles’s “Aperture”, and former England footballer Shaun Wright‑Phillips with Alexis Warr will cha cha to Paul Russell’s Lil “Boo Thang”. Earlier in the week it was also confirmed that Dani Dyer‑Bowen will samba with Nikita Kuzmin, and TV presenter Will Best will partner Dianne Buswell for a samba to Robbie Williams’ “Rock DJ”. The show will kick off with a group number featuring the hosts, professionals and judges dancing to an orchestral version of Raye’s “Joy”.
New Hosts and a Surge in Viewers
The broadcast marks the debut of the new presenting trio Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe, who took over from long‑time faces Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after their exit in 2025. According to BBC overnight figures, the launch episode attracted a peak audience of 5.8 million viewers – 200 000 more than the 2025 launch show’s high point. The first live show is scheduled for Saturday at 6.15 pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
What Lies Ahead for the Glitterball Contest
With the opening live show now fully detailed, attention turns to how the couples will navigate the early weeks of competition. The varied song choices – ranging from contemporary pop hits to soulful classics – suggest a programme designed to showcase both technical skill and entertainment value. As the series progresses, viewers will be watching closely to see which partnerships can translate the strong opening performances into consistent scores and ultimately a shot at the coveted Glitterball trophy.
Why it Matters
The release of the complete dance and song list for Strictly Come Dancing 2026’s first live show not only fuels fan speculation but also signals the BBC’s confidence in its refreshed presenting line‑up and format. The increase in viewership compared with the previous year demonstrates the show’s enduring appeal, even amid a changing television landscape. As the series unfolds, its ability to attract millions each week will continue to influence advertising rates, shape celebrity careers, and reinforce the cultural significance of Saturday night primetime viewing in the UK.
