Updated

Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 9

Strictly Confirms 5 Celebrities for 2026 Series as Dani Dyer Returns After 2025 Injury

Updated

Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 9

Strictly Confirms 5 Celebrities for 2026 Series as Dani Dyer Returns After 2025 Injury

Q: Will new host Johannes Radebe also compete as a dancer, or is his promotion a move off the dance floor?

Johannes Radebe appears to be moving off the competitive dance floor and into a dedicated hosting role. The BBC has announced him as part of the new presenting team with Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe, and the additional reporting describes his job specifically as a “roving reporter.” That points to a presenting brief rather than a dual role as both host and competing professional partner. There is some ambiguity because separate reporting also said Radebe had confirmed his return to the show earlier in the year and was listed among returning pros. But the stronger and more recent signal is that producers are framing this as a promotion into a new on-air role. Executive producer Sarah James said he would bring his experience and knowledge to “this new role,” and Radebe himself described it as a new presenting position. In practical terms, it would be difficult for him to host regularly while also training and competing each week with a celebrity partner. Based on the information available, viewers should expect Radebe to feature as a presenter rather than as one of the professionals competing in the main couples lineup. If the BBC intends any limited dance appearances, those would likely be separate from the core competition role.

Q: After Dani Dyer’s injury, what enhanced safety protocols will protect the 2026 cast during their training?

There is no evidence in the available reporting that the BBC introduced a new injury-specific training regime for the 2026 cast directly because of Dani Dyer’s ankle fracture. The main protections in place are the enhanced welfare and rehearsal-monitoring measures the broadcaster brought in from 2024, and those are expected to apply to the 2026 series. In practice, that means a production team member is to be present in training-room rehearsals at all times, giving the show direct oversight of what happens during practice. The BBC also created two dedicated support roles — a Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer — to monitor wellbeing and provide a clearer route for concerns during training. The production team and crew also received additional training under those strengthened welfare rules. More broadly, BBC production safety guidance requires formal risk assessment, hazard controls and trained managers overseeing potentially demanding physical activity, which would cover Strictly rehearsals. So, while no new protocol has been publicly detailed as a direct response to Dyer’s injury, the 2026 cast is set to train under tighter supervision, dedicated welfare support and the BBC’s wider safety-risk framework.

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 9

Five celebrities have now been confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2026: Love Island winner Cach Mercer, stylist Chris Appleton, singer Delta Goodrem, EastEnders star Lacey Turner and returning contestant Dani Dyer.
Dyer, 29, is rejoining after fracturing her ankle in rehearsals last year and withdrawing before week one; she said she is "back in the ballroom" for the September launch.
Appleton, 43, brings international profile from styling Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Ariana Grande, while Mercer arrives after winning Love Island 2025 and promoting his dance clips online.
The BBC has started unveiling the cast earlier than usual, with judge Shirley Ballas saying the line-up will make viewers go "wow" ahead of a series featuring a new hosting trio.
Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe will front the show after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left, while Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke remain on the judging panel.