Strictly Come Dancing Is Struggling — Here's Why

Strictly Come Dancing is one of the most famous TV shows in the UK. It features celebrities learning ballroom and Latin dancing each week. But in 2026, the show is facing some big problems. Fewer people are watching, the new hosts are still finding their feet, and a rival show is stealing its spotlight. Fans and critics are asking: has Strictly lost its magic?

The show returned in September with a lot of changes. For many years, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman hosted the show together. But both women announced they were leaving, which was a huge shock. The BBC then chose three new hosts to replace them: Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and former professional dancer Johannes Radebe. That meant big shoes to fill from the very first episode.

The new hosts had a rocky start. Widdicombe was spotted mouthing along as his co-hosts read their lines from a screen called an autocue. He also seemed out of place next to the more experienced Willis. Radebe, who was used to dancing rather than presenting, also struggled at first. Viewers noticed, and some were not impressed.

Things have improved over the weeks, though. Willis and Widdicombe have grown into a better presenting team. Their comedy sketches have become funnier and more polished. Radebe has also gained confidence and found his own style as a host. Even so, reports say BBC bosses are thinking about making even more changes before next year's series.

The celebrities chosen to appear on the show this year have also disappointed some fans. EastEnders actress Lacey Turner is the biggest name in the cast. Former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips joined too, but he has already left the competition. Two social media stars — ex-Love Islander Cach Mercer and football YouTuber John Nellis — were also added to try to attract younger viewers. While the social media stars have won some fans over, critics say the lineup lacks exciting or surprising names.

The show also tried something different during Halloween Week. Instead of two celebrities dancing again in a dance-off, three had to perform. And instead of the judges picking who to save, they had to vote for who should leave. The change made things more dramatic, but it also felt harsh. Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb was sent home after the judges pointed out his mistakes and said he had failed to hit the mark.

Perhaps the biggest problem Strictly faces is competition from another BBC show called Celebrity Traitors. That show became a huge hit last year. Its second series featured well-known stars like actor Michael Sheen and comedian Joe Lycett. Fans say Celebrity Traitors feels fresh and exciting, while Strictly feels familiar. The result is that many big celebrities now want to appear on Celebrity Traitors instead of Strictly, making it harder for Strictly to book famous guests that get people talking.