By Charlotte Webster-
The dancefloor of the United Kingdom’s most beloved live entertainment show is poised for change as Strictly Come Dancing gears up for its 2026 run on BBC One. With the departure of long‑time hosts celebrated by audiences for years, this next series promises fresh faces and familiar favourites swirling under dazzling lights but not all the professional dancers who graced the ballroom in recent seasons will be returning. Weeks ahead of the official line‑up announcement, rumours and increasingly reports from multiple outlets — have shed light on who’s likely to step back onto the dancefloor, who may be taking a breather, and who’s reportedly being left out in a major shake‑up of the pro cast.
What’s clear so far is that the Strictly stage could look markedly different when cameras roll around September 2026. Sources close to the show suggest that producers are seeking not only a fresh aesthetic but also a shift in energy after a turbulent few seasons marked by both high drama and changes behind the scenes.
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With a mix of optimism from fans and complaints from some corners of the audience, speculation continues to grow about which of the series’ most famous professionals will be hitting the dancefloor again — and which will be watching from the sidelines.
Traditionally, Strictly Come Dancing releases its professional dancer cast in the spring, months ahead of the celebrity pairings reveal in late summer. While the BBC has not confirmed any of the 2026 professionals, multiple reports have outlined early expectations and changes. At the centre of this conversation are familiar names who have become integral characters in the story of the show.
Diana Buswell possible return to Strictly Come Dancing 2026
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One of the most talked‑about figures expected to return is Dianne Buswell, the Australian ballroom favourite who became the first pro to compete while pregnant during a recent season and later won the competition, going on to be celebrated for her dancing and teaching style. Her presence and fan enthusiasm suggest she could be one of the defining pro personalities of the upcoming season.
Another name likely to be in the mix is Amy Dowden, whose personal journey back to the ballroom after health setbacks captured headlines and hearts in previous years. Since her triumphant 2025 return to the series, many have speculated that Dowden could be poised for a deeper run in 2026, potentially paired with a high‑profile celebrity partner eager to turn her expertise into Glitterball glory.
Meanwhile, Aljaž Škorjanec, Carlos Gu, Nikita Kuzmin, Katya Jones, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe and Kai Widdrington are a few of the familiar faces tipped by fans and commentators alike to return, based on their strong showings and popularity in recent seasons. All have established reputations for memorable choreography and powerful performances that have kept audiences and voting panels engaged.
Yet alongside the expected returns comes uncertainty around a handful of veteran professionals. Reports suggest Gorka Márquez, a decade‑long regular who has reached the finals multiple times and whose presence is beloved by many viewers, is not slated to appear in the 2026 line‑up.
Sources say that, as part of an effort to “freshen” the ballroom stage, the show will be moving forward without him and fellow pros Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas all of whom featured prominently but may now be stepping aside under producer plans.
Nadiya Bychkova could potentially make an appearance to the upcoming season
Similarly, Nadiya Bychkova, who has been part of the Strictly pro line‑up since 2017 and partnered with a wide range of celebrity contestants over the years, is also widely reported to have been dropped in advance of the upcoming season.
According to entertainment industry insiders, the news came as a shock to many fans and to the dancer herself, given her long‑standing tenure on the show and the popularity she has cultivated over nearly a decade of appearances.
Producers are said to be exploring choreography or behind‑the‑scenes roles for some outgoing pros, a move that would keep their creative contributions to Strictly alive even if they aren’t paired with celebrity contestants in the usual way.
While today’s reports remain unconfirmed by the BBC, multiple entertainment outlets and fan sources indicate that the show’s team is mapping out a fresh look for the pro roster ahead of the autumn premiere.
Beyond the likely returns and reported departures, fans have been actively sharing their hopes and concerns across social media and forums. Many Strictly devotees see the wave of change as an opportunity for new talent and different choreography to emerge, while others are nostalgic for the pros who helped define the show’s recent era.
The buzz reflects the passionate engagement that has long surrounded the BBC series, where professional dancers are almost as central to the show’s appeal as the celebrity contestants they mentor. In many years, these pros have not only trained stars but become characters in their own right, growing fan followings that travel with them from season to season.
Some fans online have pointed to the Strictly: The Professionals tour as a hint of what to expect. The 2026 UK tour scheduled to visit venues such as Sunderland Empire features a cast of eleven professional dancers fresh from the ballroom, suggesting continuity even as the show refreshes its roster.
This line‑up includes talents like Julian Caillon, Vito Coppola, Lauren Oakley and others who have made their mark either in recent seasons or through international dance acclaim.
Others have noted that while the core of the professional team may remain intact, the presence of injuries, personal circumstances or bookings in other dance projects could shape who ultimately appears on television screens. Some forums online even suggest certain pros might be “benched” present on the show but without a celebrity partner while others enjoy prime placement.
Amid all the predictions and speculation, one point of agreement among many commentators is that the pro roster announcement will mark a key moment in how fans perceive the future of Strictly Come Dancing. A refreshed line‑up, they argue, could reinvigorate the series’ format and help launch a new chapter for the BBC’s iconic dance competition.
There’s also curiosity about whether the changes will affect the show’s broader tone. With original hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman having stepped down, the series is entering a period of reinvention and professional dancers often play a crucial role in shaping audience connection, narrative arcs and memorable moments that define each season.
Ultimately, while official confirmation of the 2026 professional dancer line‑up is still forthcoming, current reports offer a snapshot of a ballroom in transition. Viewers should expect a blend of familiar talents returning to dazzle audiences and new storylines emerging as the show evolves.
With anticipation builds, toward the autumn launch on BBC One typically announced later this spring the spotlight will remain firmly on how these professional dancers, old favourites and new contenders alike, step back onto the most famous dance-floor in British television.
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