Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have begun dance rehearsals ahead of their debut as the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing next month.
The BBC show has undergone a revamp introducing new professional dancers and presenting staff. The trio replaces Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down last year, with 39-year-old Radebe moving from the professional dancer cast to the host role.
Widdicombe, a 43-year-old comedian, shared a behind-the-scenes look at the London rehearsals on Instagram on Friday.
In the photographs, Willis, 50, grimaced and anxiously bit her nails as she drank caffeine to get to grips with a dance routine. Another picture showed the three presenters sharing a sneak peek of the script.
Widdicombe captioned the post: "Lovely couple of days in London prepping and learning a dance with these legends. Oh my, not long now..."
Strictly Come Dancing schedule
The new series will begin with a pre-recorded show on September 19, when the celebrity and professional pairings will be revealed.
The live shows return the following week on September 26, giving the stars their first chance to perform and receive scores. There will be no elimination that week.
The first couple will be eliminated following the second weekend's performances and a public vote on October 4. The final will take place on December 19, just days before Christmas.
Ellie Taylor joins It Takes Two
Former contestant Ellie Taylor will host the spin-off show It Takes Two following months of speculation. She was hotly tipped for the role earlier this month after the former hosts were axed.
Willis announced the appointment during a Strictly special on her Saturday lunchtime BBC Radio 2 show over the weekend, saying she was "so glad they are in it together".
"With me right now is the brand new host of It Takes Two! Mystery host of It Takes Two..." Willis told listeners before revealing Taylor.
"I am over the moon! I feel giddy," Taylor said. "So nice to get the secret out. I've had the theme tune in my head since I found out... I was like 'stop it woman!'"
Taylor revealed she had kept the news quiet for a month. "It was the same when I found out I was a contestant. I am so thrilled to be back in the Strictly world. I found out a month ago, but I've been a good girl. I told mummy and my partner. I didn't tell the kids," she said.
In a statement, Taylor said: "What a total joy to return to Strictly in this new role. I feel incredibly honoured to follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal line-up of hosts who've made Strictly: It Takes Two so loved over the years."
"I can't wait to immerse myself in all the gossip and sequins flying out of the ballroom in order to bring my fellow Strictly fans everything they need to know," she added. "I'm so excited, I could cha cha! (But I won't, don't worry... no one needs to see that again.)"
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 contestants
Lacey Turner, 38, is best known for playing Stacey Slater on the BBC soap EastEnders.
"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," she said.
Delta Goodrem, 41, played Nina Tucker in the Australian soap Neighbours and has released eight music albums.
"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!" Goodrem said.
Cach Mercer, 25, is a TikTok influencer who won the reality show Love Island in 2025.
"I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast," Mercer said. "Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can't wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!"
Dame Sarah Storey, 48, is Britain's most successful Paralympian.
"Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting," Storey said.
Bethany Antonia, 28, plays Lady Baela Targaryen in the fantasy series House of the Dragon.
"I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill," she said.
Graeme "The Dogfather" Hall, 59, hosts the Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly.
"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!" Hall said.
Tabby Stoecker, 25, is an Olympic champion skeleton racer.
"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!" Stoecker said.
Melanie Walters, 64, is best known for playing Gwen West in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey.
"Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly 'fix' has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room," Walters said.
Dani Dyer, 30, won Love Island and is the daughter of actor Danny Dyer.
"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!" she said.
Chris Appleton, 43, is a hairdresser whose celebrity clients include Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez.
"I'm thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience," Appleton said. "I've always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new."
Will Best, 41, hosts the reality show Big Brother and previously TV.
"I've been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!" Best said.
Jaime Winstone, 41, has starred in films including Kidulthood and Tomb Raider.
"I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me," Winstone said.
Shaun Wright-Phillips, 44, is a former footballer who played for Chelsea and Manchester City.
"Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I'm super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!" he said.
Lawrence Robb, 34, plays Mackenzie Boyd on the ITV soap Emmerdale.
"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!" Robb said.
John Nellis, 33, is the face of a popular football-focused YouTube channel.
"I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!" Nellis said.
