Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton roped in best friend Kim Kardashian to judge his Strictly Come Dancing routines in an Instagram video posted on Saturday.
The 43-year-old hairstylist performed his ballroom moves in an underground car park while the reality star rated his performance from inside a car using scoring paddles.
Appleton joked that "Kim was a tough judge" after she awarded him a score of two when he messed up and laughed during his initial routine.
Kardashian, dressed in a brown leather bralette and skirt, told him: "For that, not being good under pressure, just because you are you."
Appleton insisted his moves "don't look as good here" in the car park before performing a second routine, which earned an eight from Kardashian.
Commentating on the post, Kardashian wrote: "You better work on dancing under pressure. But what do I know?! Have u seen my DWTS??? Maybe don’t take advice from me, YOU’RE GONNA KILL IT!!!"
Strictly Panel Invitation and Host Debut
Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas invited Kardashian to join the BBC panel, writing: "I mean our desk IS big enough for five chairs ngl." Ballas judges the show alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke. It is currently unknown whether Kardashian will appear on the BBC series, though she recently visited London for the opening of a SKIMS store branch on Regent Street.
Saturday's launch show revealed that Appleton is paired with professional dancer and fan favourite Amy Dowden. In a new shakeup for the series, celebrity contestants were divided into groups of five to perform three choreographed dance routines to determine their professional partners.
The pre-recorded launch episode introduced new presenting trio Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, who took over following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the end of the 2025 series. The hosts joined the dance floor for the first time as they opened the show.
Addressing the audience, Widdicombe admitted: "It's a little bit overwhelming to be here but we are so excited..." Willis added: "We cannot wait to spend the next 13 weeks with all of you."
Viewer Reactions and Presenting Format
Willis opened the series wearing a plunging glitzy dress, with viewers praising her as "the goddess of British TV". However, some fans questioned the new three-host setup on social media platform X.
One viewer wrote: "i love emma, jojo and josh but it feels so odd without tess and claude, this is gonna take some getting used to." Another commented: "I can’t understand why we need 3 presenters???" A third noted: "3 hosts are different but I love emma willis so happy she’s part of this," while another stated: "Emma and Johannes have got this but Josh just does not fit #Strictly."
Producers previously explained the presenting format is fluid, without direct replacements for Daly and Winkleman. Willis, Widdicombe and Radebe trialled different presenting combinations throughout the episode as contestants discovered who they will dance with over the 13-week competition for the Glitterball trophy.
Ahead of the broadcast, Willis shared an Instagram post writing: "Week one… I guess it’s officially happening then. Dress on, game face ready and fully prepared for the glitter to take over… Strictly, let’s be having you." Former presenter Daly also posted well wishes: "BBC Strictly class of 26! So excited for tonight! And to finally be able to watch Strictly in flat shoes."
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Contestant Lineup
EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, 38, famous for playing Stacey Slater on the BBC soap, joins the cast. Turner said: "I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor."
Australian star Delta Goodrem, 41, known for playing Nina Tucker in Neighbours and releasing eight studio albums, said: "I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career, from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!"
Love Island 2025 winner and TikTok influencer Cach Mercer, 25, expressed her enthusiasm: "I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!"
Britain's most successful Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, 48, said: "Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting."
House of the Dragon actress Bethany Antonia, 28, who plays Lady Baela Targaryen, shared: "I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill."
Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly presenter Graeme "The Dogfather" Hall, 59, said: "I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!"
Additional Celebrities Joining the Ballroom
Olympic champion skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker, 25, called her casting surreal: "I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!"
Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters, 64, who played Gwen West, revealed: "Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room."
Love Island winner Dani Dyer, 30, daughter of actor Danny Dyer, returns to the dance floor: "I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!"
Hairdresser Chris Appleton, 43, known for styling Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, said: "I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new."
Big Brother host Will Best, 41, noted: "I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!"
Kidulthood and Tomb Raider actress Jaime Winstone, 41, stated: "I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me."
Former Chelsea and Manchester City footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, 44, remarked: "Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!"
Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb, 34, who plays Mackenzie Boyd, said: "I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!"
YouTube football content creator John Nellis, 33, concluded: "I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!"
