Comedian Ellie Taylor has been selected as the new host for the spin-off series Strictly: It Takes Two. This appointment comes as part of a sweeping reorganization of the Strictly Come Dancing franchise leading into the 2026 season.
Ellie Taylor replaces Fleur East and Janette Manrara on It Takes Two
The 42-year-old comedian Ellie Taylor is stepping into the role of host for Strictly: It Takes Two, taking over from previous hosts Fleur East and Janette Manrara. According to a reeport from The Sun, the production team felt the spin-off had become "too boring" and required a significant revamp to regain viewer interest. Taylor is no stranger to the ballroom, having previously competed as a contestant in 2022 alongside professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
The decision to hire Ellie Taylor follows internal discussions regarding the main show's leadership. As The Sun reported,Taylor was a strong canddate during the search for replacements for the main series hosts, and her popularity with audiences during her 2022 appearance made her a natural fit for the executive team's new vision for the spin-off.
Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe step in for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
The changes extend far beyond the spin-off, as the main Strictly Come Dancing series is undergoing a total overhaul for 2026. Long-time presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are being replaced by Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe. This shift represents one of the most significant changes to the show's front-facing identity in years, signaling a desire for a fresh dynamic on the main stage.
This broader restructuring suggests a strategic pivot by the BBC to modernize the program's appeal. By replacing established staples like Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the network is attempting to shake off the predictability of the format. This move echoes previous attempts in reality television to reboot aging franchises by swapping out the "face" of the show to attract a different demographic of viewers.
Aleksandra Isaeva and four other new pros join the 2026 roster
The professional dance lineup is also seeing a major shift, with five new dancers debuting this autumn. These newcomers include Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby, and Mark Karmalita. The arrival of these five follows what The Sun described as a "cast bloodbath," where several veteran professional dancers were removed from the lineup.
Among the new additions, Aleksandra Isaeva brings significant international prestige to the Strictly Come Dancing floor. Hailing from Ukraine and raised in Italy, Isaeva is currently ranked among the top 21 Latin dancers globally and has achieved top-ten finishes at the Dutch Open's World Latin Dance Competition and the European Latin Championships in Blackpool. She joins a returning group of pros that includes names such as Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, and Vito Coppola.
Which celebrities join Will Best, Jaime Winstone, and Delta Goodrem?
While the hosting and professional rosters are taking shape, the celebrity contestant list remains partially shrouded in mystery. So far, eight celebrity participants have been confirmed for the upcoming series, including Will Best, Jaime Winstone, and Delta Goodrem. However, the full roster has not yet been disclosed, leaving fans to speculate on who will fill the remaining slots.
Beyond the cast list, the exact nature of the "new format" mentioned by production remains an open question . While the source confirms a "major departure" from previous years, there are no specific details on how the scoring, weekly challenges, or elimination rounds will change. It remains unclear if these format shifts are designed to integrate the new hosting style of Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe or if they are a response to declining ratings.
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