First look at Strictly’s sexy new pro dancers in action hours before ‘another level’ launch of new-look show

STRICTLY bosses have turned up the heat ahead of the launch show – with five hot new dance pros ready to set the stage alight. Viewers are in for the steamiest series ever judging by these pictures of the experts, who will breathe fire into familiar routines. Five hot new dance pros are ready to set the stage alight at the Strictly launch Credit: BBC South African Latin Champion Lethabo fell in love with dance after watching the SA version of Strictly Credit: BBC Our first look at the 2026 telly competition shows the masters of dance sizzling in scarlet for their debut performance. They herald a fresh era for the new-look BBC One show. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! The fab five bringing their style, grace and nifty footwork to the stage are Aleksandra Isaeva and her off-screen dance partner Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita. Hailing from the UK, Canada, Italy, South Africa and Ukraine, they are some of the most exciting talents in dance today. Pro dancer-turned-host Johannes Radebe — who presents the show for the first time tomorrow with Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe — heaped praise on the new recruits, saying their opening performance is a spectacle. He added: “I’m so excited about their journey because they’re all quite phenomenal. Strictly gets it right, bringing these people from across the world. “You guys are in for a treat. They get to do a beautiful dance dedicated to them alone. I tell you, the dancing is another level.” The newbies replace Strictly veterans Nadiya Bychova, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk and Gorka Marquez, who all got the chop in a shake=up. Most read in TV Bournemouth-born Maddie Ingoldsby, 21, is a UK National Ballroom Champion Credit: BBC Dubbed the new Nadiya Bychkova, Ukrainian dancer Aleksandra Isaeva is ranked in the world’s top 21 Latin dancers Credit: BBC The refreshed show returns tonight with 15 celebrities vying for the Glitterball trophy. They include Australian singer Delta Goodrem, soap star Lacey Turner and presenter Will Best. Emma, Josh and Johannes step up to guide competitors on their sequinned-covered journey after Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly left as hosts last year. Speaking before tonight’s pre-recorded show, Emma said she is enjoying the new gig, even though it has been a slog. “It’s really fun,” she told Sara Cox on her Radio 2 show. “It’s been a long week. We’re teetering on the edge of the abyss.” Johannes added: “We’re nervous but excited. It’s new. It’s been a learning curve. But it’s lovely because Josh and Emma have been a huge support. I’m finding my feet.” In a teaser from tonight, the trio are seen for the first time on the famous dancefloor. They are also pictured in the Clauditorium — the balcony where Claudia chatted to the celebrities. Emma, Josh and Johannes this week said they will not have “fixed roles” on the show, unlike their predecessors. Four-time Italian Latin Champion Cristian Priori Credit: BBC Fresh-faced Canadian champ Mark Karmalita, 22, previously ranked 10th in the World at the Under 21 Latin Dance Festival in Blackpool Credit: BBC “Tomorrow night we’re all rotating,” explained Emma. “We’re on the move, finding out where we feel comfortable. And we’ll find out where we go from there, basically.” The changes for the 21st series do not end there, as couples — who will learn the identity of their pro partners tonight — are also being paired up in a new way. Explaining the twist — which will see matches made when the music to a dance routine stops — Emma told BBC’s The One Show: “We’ve got three groups of five, and each group of five will have their own dance, and they’ll be paired like you would do with speed dating. “They’ve all learned a routine together. The music will start and they’ll dance and then we’re stood at the side and we go, ‘Change partners’ and they all change. “And they dance for maybe five seconds and we’ll go, ‘Change partners’ and then they might dance for 30 seconds and change partners. “So they never know when that rotation is going to stop until we stop it and tell them. “This is something they’ve never done on the show before.” Celebs will dance the series with the pro they ar with when the music stops. Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe are stepping up to guide competitors on their sequinned-covered journey Credit: BBC FAB FIVE PROFESSIONALS Lethabo Monametsi South African Latin Champion Lethabo fell in love with dance after watching the SA version of Strictly. No stranger to television, she won the TV dance competition Dance Yo Dumo as a member of Urban Wave and performed as a dancer on The Masked Singer SA. The 23-yearold has also been on stage with Diana Ross and composer Hans Zimmer. Mark Karmalita Fresh-faced Canadian champ Mark, 22, previously ranked 10th in the World at the Under 21 Latin Dance Festival in Blackpool. Mark is also an Empire Dance US Latin Rising Star Champion. He said: “Joining Strictly feels incredibly special, and I’m honoured to be stepping into a ballroom with so much history and heart. I can’t wait to bring my own style, connect with the audience, and enjoy every moment along the way.” Maddie Ingoldsby Bournemouth-born Maddie, 21, is a UK National Ballroom Champion. As a child, she played Annie in the West End, and made her television debut on Strictly: It Takes Two when she was just 10. She later performed in a Pros’ group number on the main show’s Christmas special. Maddie starred in the film Last Christmas alongside Emma Thompson and Emilia Clarke. Cristian Priori Four-time Italian Latin Champion Cristian is joining dance partner Aleksandra on Strictly. Born in Rome, Cristian, 34, achieved success from a young age as the Junior Italian 10-Dance Champion, before going on to become a Rising Star Finalist at both the UK Open and the Dutch Open. He’s says he’s “excited to begin this new chapter”. Aleksandra Isaeva Dubbed the new Nadiya Bychkova, fellow Ukrainian dancer Aleksandra, 22, is ranked in the world’s top 21 Latin dancers. She was also a finalist at the UK Dance Festival’s Latin Rising Star competition. “I’ve been living and breathing dance for as long as I can remember, so joining the Strictly family is a true honour,” she said about joining the show. “I can’t wait to pour my whole heart into every performance, inspire others and be inspired along the way!” Comedian Josh said the twist is “entertaining”, while Johannes described it as “stressful”. Last year’s Strictly champion, former Lioness Karen Carney, returns to perform her iconic football-themed jive with Carlos Gu. There will also be a spectacular group number. It introduces the new pros and features returning ones, including Alexis Warr, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystal, Julian Caillon, Kai Widdrington, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin and Vito Coppola. Meanwhile, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas are back as judges, rating each routine.. The much-loved themed weeks are still on the agenda including movies, icons, Halloween and musicals. And bosses are giving the Instant Dance challenge another whirl following its debut in 2025. Contestants will also get to take part in the annual visit to the iconic Blackpool Tower ballroom. Former competitor Ellie Taylor takes the reins of sister show It Takes Two, bringing behind-the-scenes gossip and insight every weeknight on BBC Two. Watch Strictly Come Dancing tomorrow night on BBC One at 7.25pm. BOOKIES' FAVOURITES REALITY star Dani Dyer is favourite to waltz off with the Glitterball trophy. The ex-Love Island star, 30, quit last year’s series before the live shows after breaking an ankle in rehearsals. Her odds to win have shortened from 9/2 to 7/2. Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb, 34, could be a dark horse, attracting the most bets this week, Sky Bet says. His odds have gone from 17/2 to 9/2. Sky Bet’s Robert Carr said: “Dani Dyer is the firm favourite ahead of this weekend, so it will be interesting to see how she goes over the course of the show. “But we are also seeing fans back Lawrence Robb and Delta Goodrem, so those two are ones to keep an eye on.” Aussie actress and singer Delta and EastEnders star Lacey Turner are both 6/1, with Love Island’s Cach Mercer at 15/2. Olympian Tabby Stoecker is 9/1 and Big Brother host Will Best and telly dog trainer Graeme Hall are 14/1. House Of The Dragon star Bethany Antonia and YouTuber John Nellis are 16/1; actress Jaime Winstone comes in at 18/1; with Gavin & Stacey favourite Melanie Walters at 20/1 to be crowned champion. Paralympic cyclist Dame Sarah Storey is 22/1; celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton is 33/1; and former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips is 40/1. Comment now