Up amid show shake-up

BBC show axed five stars from professional cast earlier this year
Strictly Come Dancing has announced its line-up of returning professional dancers ahead of its new series – and confirmed that fans can expect a few new faces in the cast.

It comes after five stars were axed from the show in a cast cull earlier this year, with Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova , Karen Hauer , Gorka Marquez and Michelle Tsiakkas leaving the BBC series.

On Wednesday (6 May), Strictly confirmed which stars will be back on our screens in Autumn 2026 – including long-time stars Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Johannes Radebe and Aljaž Škorjanec.

Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Lauren Oakley, Vito Coppola and reigning champion Carlos Gu will be joining them in the cast, while last year’s newbies Julian Caillon and Alexis Warr are confirmed to be returning.

The BBC also revealed that new professional dancers will be joining the existing cast.

“The new Pros will be confirmed closer to the return of the show as the 24th spectacular series comes to screens in Autumn 2026,” the broadcaster teased.

Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke will be taking their places at the judging panel once year for 2026 to cast “a watchful eye over the performances each week”.

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies