Dani Dyer shares her nerves ahead of first live Strictly show tonight after fans blasted BBC's big revamp with new hosts

Published: 07:29 EDT, 26 September 2026 | Updated: 09:02 EDT, 26 September 2026 Dani Dyer has opened up about her nerves ahead of tonight's first live Strictly show, as fans have reacted to the show's major revamp and new presenting line-up.Saturday night's launch will mark a new era for the BBC show, with the hit dance show undergoing a major shake-up in its 22nd year.Dani is returning to the competition for a second year with partner Nikita Kuzmin after an ankle injury forced her to withdraw early from last year's series.Ahead of tonight's first live show, she took to her Instagram Stories to share her nerves with fans.Sitting in her dressing room, she said: 'Guys, I can't believe it. The day is here, it's show day! I'm so excited, I'm s****ing my pants, of course. But I'm just so excited.'I'm actually speechless. I just can't believe the day is here. The day is finally here, and yeah, guys, I need all the luck in the world.' Dani Dyer has opened up about her nerves ahead of tonight's first live Strictly show, as fans have reacted to the show's major revamp and new presenting line-up Saturday night's launch will mark a new era for the BBC show, with the hit dance show undergoing a major shake-up in its 22nd year (pictured new hosts Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe)The BBC has opted to rip up the rulebook and abandon the show's tried and tested formula with a new lineup of presenters, unexpected celebrity contestants and a revamp to the partnering process. However, the programme's bold gamble hasn't paid off, with viewers underwhelmed by the new format and failing to give the show the ratings boost the Beeb had hoped for. The pre-recorded launch show peaked at 5.8million viewers, according to overnight figures, up slightly on last year's peak of 5.6million. However, not all viewers remained loyal, and accounting for those who ultimately switched off, the episode averaged at 5.3million viewers, down from 5.4million in 2025.High up on the list of viewer complaints were the new hosting trio, with bemused fans asking why 'three' hosts were needed to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. While Emma Willis was lauded, many expressed that they'd rather see Johannes Radebe back on the dancefloor, and see no more of third host Josh Widdicombe. Viewers penned on X: 'I can't understand why we need 3 presenters???'; '3 hosts are different but I love emma willis so happy she's part of this,' Sitting in her dressing room, she said: 'Guys, I can't believe it. The day is here, it's show day! I'm so excited, I'm s****ing my pants, of course. But I'm just so excited' Dani is partnered with Nikita Kuzmin for this year's series 'Why does it need 3 presenters? It just doesn't work'; 'Is it way too early to say I'm not sold on these hosts and I want Tess and Claud back? #strictly.' Another big change to the launch show format saw the stars find out their partners inside the studio through a game akin to musical chairs, in which the pros would rotate around the celebs until Emma announced who was their new partner. The change didn't go down well with viewers, who joked online: 'I'm going to be hearing 'CHANGE PARTNERS' in my sleep aren't I #Strictly.'STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS LACEY TURNER AGE: 38BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders WHY STRICTLY?: '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.'DELTA GOODREMAGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albumsWHY STRICTLY?: '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!'CACH MERCERAGE: 25BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencerWHY STRICTLY?: '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!'DAME SARAH STOREYAGE: 48BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'BETHANY ANTONIA AGE: 28BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the DragonWHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALLAGE: 59BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) BadlyWHY STRICTLY?: '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!'TABBY STOECKER AGE: 25BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racerWHY STRICTLY?: '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!'MELANIE WALTERS AGE: 64BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & StaceyWHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.' DANI DYERAGE: 30BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny DyerWHY STRICTLY?: '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!'CHRIS APPLETONAGE: 43BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer LopezWHY STRICTLY?: '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.'WILL BESTAGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TVWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'JAIME WINSTONEAGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb RaiderWHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS AGE: 44BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester CityWHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'LAWRENCE ROBBAGE: 34BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV's EmmerdaleWHY STRICTLY?: '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!'JOHN NELLIS AGE: 33BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channelWHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!'