Strictly 2026 : THE LAUNCH SHOW 19.25hrs How will our new presenters fare ? NO SPOILERS

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

A shiny new thread for a shiny new series. Please bring your dancing shoes over here.

Not sure whether I am doing weekly threads or not yet. Yet to decide, but I’m doing one for the first episode anyway.

The preshow chat thread has been quiet and I’m wondering if lots of people aren’t watching due to the departure of Tess and Claude. I have my reservations about the new presenting team but I’m willing to give them a chance.

KEEP DANCING 💃

I've only watched about two thirds of it (I find the launch show way, way too long, and a bit boring), but I did prefer the way they announced the pairings this time. I like Johannes as a dancer, and I'm not at all sure about him in this role. Josh and Emma seem a strange choice, and I do miss Claudia. I never warmed to Tess at all, and found her really irritating (and couldn't stand Bruce!), so I was hoping for something better, but it's early days. I enjoy my glittery, sparkly Saturday nights ✨💃🏻✨

I liked the way they paired the couples up this time, rather than having them meet up at an improbable location; it was more fun this time. I usually find the launch show quite boring, but there was a refreshing feel to it that makes me think it’s all going to be okay.

Emma nailed it 👌
Josh was very nervous and hoping in the future he will come into his own when gets to ad lib more. 🤞
Johannes is not a presenter, he needs to stick to what he does best 🕺
Motsi and Shirley looked amazing 🤩

no criticism here
just watched it
the opening dance was fabulous.
i liked them all

oh and i normally fast forward
i much prefer this speed choice of picking a partner

Emma looked fabulous, it will all take a time to settle in

Enjoyed it. The chemistry was a bit off, I thought, but only to be expected, as I’m sure they were very nervous. Couple of weeks time and will be Fab-U-Lous.

But I will miss Johannes dancing, gutted about that.

Emma was great, dress awful. I liked Josh more than I expected. Love Jojo but he's not presenter material. Maybe his role will change for live shows? Three presenters are too many imo and as usual too much talking not enough dancing. I recorded and got through it in an hour. Only know five "celebs" but I'm ancient. Didn't recognise Kai, think he's got a contender in Delta.

Delta is quite tall - taller than Kai in heels.

Josh Widdecombe was an abomination. Who on earth thought he would be a good choice. 😂

This is always a bit of a blah episode, for me. I enjoyed it. I’d have liked to see Katya and Lawrence together, but she had a good dancer last year.

It’ll settle down and I’m expecting to enjoy it.

Yes. She should have had Alijaz

I like Josh. I think he’ll be fine with the lives and is naturally funny. It’s a shame Johannes isn’t dancing , but at least he knows what he talking about and nice to hear a professional take on each dance that isn’t a judge. Emma is very good. It may work out well.
Already loads of criticism online , but hopefully they can tune that out and get on with the job.

Does she smell good? Thought she would, was...a choice. Now for all of you who have watched the show forever imagine Jason Donovan asking!! 😁

Rylan iirc had had controversy around migration comments last year - some thought that having had 700 ofcom comments, it cost him the job as they wanted a completely controversy-free reboot.

I think Emma fits into Tess's shoes easily. We shall see next week whether her calm rules over the chaos. She is the one who is most used to the format. Josh, in fairness, is used to live "banter." Johannes will be learning by doing.

Oh yes sorry it is going to take me a few weeks to remember who everyone is !

the celebrities came over really well i thought

Not keen on Delta as she seemed a bit too try hard. She may settle down and be really good.
Didn’t know John or the hairdresser or a few of the other women.

I haven't watched Strictly in years, but wanted to check out the new presenters and it looked to have potential. I still only lasted 20 minutes as they were really dragging things out, and the studio chit chat was mind-numbing. Josh Widdecombe looked extremely nervous and stilted, but should settle into it, so this could be a series worth watching.

I’ve not watched it yet or read the first full thread but sounds promising - to be honest I was expecting the worst as I’ve been a fan for over 20 years and wasn’t sure if I could accept a shake up of the old formula 😂

Did Lawrence get Jowita? Surely he is too tall for her?

I’ve not read the thread (over 600 comments since I last posted!). I enjoyed it and I’m really looking forward to next week. It’s a programme that genuinely makes me smile and allows me to ‘switch off’ for a couple of hours each week.

Off to skim read through the thread now and see what you all thought.

What is different about Kai? Has he had a hair transplant?

I think he’s grown it and either had a perm, or is naturally curly.

I wish they'd changed some of the judges
I wish they'd knock off the "our strictly stars" nonsense
I feel like they've not changed enough tbh
Delta goodrem is stunning
The celebrity line up is pretty weak

Which judges would you change @Figgygal
for me would be Shirley….

Love the other three. Mind you Motsi can get a bit loud at times. But on the whole I don’t mind her. I think she’d be better without Shirley.

Grest post and I agree with it.

The pairing by dancing was great. It was fun and funny. The pros and the celebs all looked like they enjoyed it. Other years it has been so boring and I never believed they didn't know who they were meeting.

I really liked Emma. I did like Josh but he seemed nervous which was understandable. I am sure he will get more relaxed.

I am looking forward to the series just as much as I ever have. I know a few of the celebs but, honestly, for me it doesn't really matter if I know them or not. I enjoy getting to know them and seeing how well they do each week