Strictly Come Dancing announce new host for It Takes Two
She will take over from Fleur East and Janette Manrara
Now we know the celebity line-up, new hosts and which professionals will be featuring on Strictly Come Dancing this year, the BBC has dropped one more bit of news, revealing who the new host of spin-off series It Takes Two will be.
Who is the new Strictly: It Takes Two host?
Taking over from Hits Radio Breakfast host Fleur East and former professional dancer Janette Manrara, comedian, presenter, and former Strictly contestant Ellie Taylor will take on the role.
The show, which airs daily on BBC Two during Strictly season, will show Ellie bringing viewers more access, more insight and more Strictly magic than ever before.
Speaking of her new job, Ellie said: “What a total joy to return to Strictly in this new role. I feel incredibly honoured to follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal line-up of hosts who've made Strictly - It Takes Two so loved over the years. I can’t wait to immerse myself in all the gossip and sequins flying out of the ballroom in order to bring my fellow Strictly fans everything they need to know. I’m so excited, I could cha cha! (But I won’t - don’t worry… no one needs to see that again.)”
Helen Munson, BBC Commissioning Editor, added: "We'd like to say a huge thank you to the brilliant Janette Manrara and Fleur East, who've been a massive part of It Takes Two's continued success over the years. It Takes Two is a joy to make and we're so proud to have it on the BBC every autumn. As we embark on what will be an incredibly exciting new series of Strictly, we can't wait to be there every step of the way."
READ MORE: Your ultimate guide to Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Rhe-an Archibald, Strictly - It Takes Two Executive Producer, BBC Studios, says: “This is Strictly – It Takes Two, reinvented for the 2026 season. With a wealth of new features and deep dives, we want to reflect the conversations happening in living rooms up and down the country – full of opinions, laughs, surprises and those moments everyone wants to talk about. With the fun and funny Ellie at the helm, it will be an utterly unmissable companion to Strictly Come Dancing.”
Of course, Ellie isn't the only new face on the show this year. Following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, it was announced that Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe would take over presenting the main show.
There's also been a lot of change in the professional dancer department, with the likes of Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Márquez all leaving the show.
Five new pro dancers have now been announced, with 15 celebs also reevaled to take part in the 2026 series.
Check out the Strictly 2026 line-up below:
Lacey Turner
Best known for: Actress
Lacey said: "I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! I am a huge fan and can't quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!"
Dani Dyer
Best known for: TV personality
Dani said: "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! I'm just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!"
Delta Goodrem
Best known for: Singer and actress
Delta said: "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! I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can't wait to get started!"
Chris Appleton
Best known for: World-renowned conceptual hair stylist
Chris said: 'I'm thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing 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. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story - and I can't wait to get started.'
Cach Mercer
Best known for: Love Island winner
Cach said: "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!"
Will Best
Best known for: Radio presenter and Big Brother host
Will said: "I can't quite believe it…I'm doing Strictly! What an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one. I've been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait! I have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dance floor! I'm going to try to enjoy every minute of it."
Dame Sarah Storey
Best known for: Paralympic athlete
Sarah said: "Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting. I have always loved watching Strictly and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world, is incredibly motivating! I can't wait to get started!"
Jaime Winstone
Best known for: Actress
Jamie said: "I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year. I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me. I love a challenge though, so can't wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!! Let's get physical – see you on the dance floor!"
Bethany Antonia
Best known for: Actress
Bethany said: "I can't quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom this September! I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill. See you on the dancefloor!"
Shaun Wright-Phillips
Best known for: Football legend and pundit
Shaun said: "Dancing is in my blood — but mainly at family events! Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I'm super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!"
Graeme Hall
Best known for: Dog coach and Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly star
Graeme said: "I can't believe I am joining the cast of Strictly for 2026. I have always loved dancing, so to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the business is a dream come true. 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! I can't wait to get started. Bring it on!"
Lawrence Robb
Best known for: Emmerdale actor
Lawrence said: "I don't know who's more excited about this, me or my Mother. 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! It's a dream come true, and I can't wait to bring my all to ballroom. Wish me luck, and any advice is very welcome - trust me I'll need it!"
Tabby Stoecker
Best known for: Team GB Skeleton athlete
Tabby said: "I am over the moon to be joining the cast of Strictly 2026. 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!"
John Nellis
Best known for: Sports Content Creator
John said: "I'm still in disbelief that I've been selected for Strictly and, if I'm honest, I'm a little nervous as I've never danced before! It's such an incredible opportunity, and I'm going to throw myself into every moment. I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!"
Melanie Walters
Best known for: Gavin and Stacey actress
Melanie said: "Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly 'fix' has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room. This year I am completely thrilled and happy to swap my fairy wand for sequinned dance shoes. I just hope I don't follow Cinderella and leave one on the Ballroom stairs. I cannot wait to take part in this absolutely iconic show, it's so exciting. See you in September!"
Strictly Come Dancing begins on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 19th September.