Strictly Come Dancing is set for a shake-up in its 2026 lineup, with the BBC announcing five new professional dancers who will join the show for the autumn series. Multiple outlets report that the new professionals include a UK ballroom champion and an Italian Latin specialist, alongside additional dancers who are described as among the youngest to ever take part on the programme. Coverage also notes that some previously announced or fan-favourite figures are not continuing in the competition, with several celebrities reportedly removed from the cast decisions ahead of the new run. The reporting agrees that rehearsals begin in September, and that the five new professionals take part as part of the first day of 2026 preparations. One outlet adds that at least one of the incoming dancers has appeared on the BBC show before, indicating experience within the Strictly format. Across sources, the consistent focus is on the BBC’s roster refresh for 2026, the introduction of new dance partnerships for upcoming celebrity contestants, and the timing of the start of rehearsals and the series return.