Strictly Come Dancing 2026 is about to get serious, with the show’s ballroom opening for the first live performances tomorrow night.
The BBC has now revealed every song and dance for the bumper first live show, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect from the 15 couples.
Last week, viewers were introduced to this year’s celebrities during the pre recorded launch show, including the full line up of stars.
Now there is nowhere to hide, as the celebrities and their professional partners prepare to perform their first routines in front of the judges.
The BBC has released a first look at Saturday night’s spectacular, and there is plenty to look forward to as the competition finally gets underway.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026: First look at live show
The pressure will be on new presenting trio Emma Willis, Josh Widdicome and Johannes Radebe as they launch their first live Strictly show.
While last week’s episode introduced the celebrities, Saturday night is when the competition properly begins.
The professional dancers will open proceedings with a huge group routine, performed beneath a dazzling display of lights.
The number was filmed last month, with the female professionals wearing metallic silver outfits and the men dressed in tuxedos.
Emma, Josh and Johannes will also join Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke for the opening performance.
Then comes the moment Strictly fans have been waiting for.
All 15 couples will step onto the ballroom floor for the first time and perform their opening routines, giving the judges their first chance to assess this year’s celebrities.
What are the Strictly Week 1 songs and dances?
There will be plenty of variety on the dance floor, with everything from samba and cha cha to tango, jive and paso doble.
The BBC has confirmed which routine each couple will perform, along with the song they will be dancing to.
They are:
Bethany & Nancy – Quickstep to Stop This Flame by Celeste
Dani & Nikita – Samba to Lush Life by Zara Larsson
Delta & Kai – Samba to Baianá by Barbatuques
Jaime & Carlos – Tango to I Feel Love by Donna Summer
Lacey & Vito – Cha Cha to How Will I Know by Whitney Houston
Melanie & Aljaž – Cha Cha to Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Elton John and Kiki Dee
Dame Sarah & Julian – Quickstep to C’est Magnifique by Kay Starr
Tabby & Mark – Jive to Animal by KATSEYE
Cach & Maddie – Quickstep to I Just Might by Bruno Mars
Chris & Amy – Tango to No Roots by Alice Merton
Graeme & Lauren – Cha Cha to Hound Dog (Smokey Joe’s Café version)
John & Katya – Foxtrot to Ordinary by Alex Warren
Lawrence & Jowita – Paso Doble to Aperture by Harry Styles
Shaun & Alexis – Cha Cha to Lil Boo Thang by Paul Russell
Will & Dianne – Samba to Rock DJ by Robbie Williams
What time is Strictly Come Dancing on?
Saturday’s Strictly episode is set to be a marathon as every one of this year’s 15 couples takes to the dance floor.
With the entire line up performing, viewers can expect a much longer episode than usual.
The live show begins at 6.15pm on BBC One on Saturday September 26, 2026.
It will run for two hours and 30 minutes, taking viewers through to 8.45pm.
So settle in – it’s basically a movie night!
Read more: Strictly: It Takes Two’s new host Ellie Taylor reveals show has been ‘reborn’ with massive shake-up
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