New dancers join cast for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
This year’s Strictly will have some new faces ready for the Blackpool live show
Strictly Come Dancing has revealed the five new professional dancers joining the programme’s 2026 edition.
Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita will replace Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk, whose departures from the BBC dancing show were announced earlier this year.
Sarah James, executive producer at BBC Studios, said: “Aleksandra, Cristian, Lethabo, Maddie and Mark are all outstanding world class dancers and we can’t wait to see them shine under the Strictly glitterball this September.”
In May, Blackpool received special recognition of its importance to Strictly Come Dancing this evening as the BBC paid a special tribute.
Just hours after presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe were officially unveiled as the new faces of Strictly Come Dancing their names were emblazoned on to Blackpool Tower for all to see.
To mark the occasion the BBC chose to give a huge nod to the resort and the Blackpool Tower Ballroom where it films the live shows.