Strictly Come Dancing 2026: Live Show Ratings and Leaderboard

The inaugural live show of Strictly Come Dancing 2026 attracted a peak of five million viewers, with an average of 4.8 million across the two‑and‑a‑half‑hour broadcast. Social media star John Nellis and partner Katya Jones led the leaderboard with 31 points, while the episode featured new hosts Emm…

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 27 Sep 2026 13:34:24 GMT

The first live episode of Strictly Come Dancing 2026 aired on BBC One on Saturday night, marking a new chapter for the long‑running dance competition. The broadcast attracted a peak audience of five million viewers and averaged 4.8 million across its two‑and‑a‑half‑hour run. It was the first time the series had been presented by a trio of hosts – Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe – who split duties between the judges’ table and the balcony introductions.

New Hosts and the Opening Performance

The episode opened with a dazzling routine by the Strictly professionals to an orchestral version of "Joy" by Raye. The trio of presenters joined the dance at the end of the performance before introducing the celebrity couples to the ballroom floor. Willis and Widdicombe sat by the judges’ table, while Radebe welcomed the dancers from the balcony ahead of the score reveal.

Leaderboard Highlights

John Nellis & Katya Jones – 31 points for a foxtrot to Alex Warren’s "Ordinary". The judges praised the routine as "extraordinary", "classy, elegant and graceful", and "the best dance of the night".
Delta Goodrem & Kai Widdrington – 29 points for a samba to Barbatuques’ "Baiana".
Lacey Turner & Vito Coppola – 27 points for a cha‑cha to Whitney Houston’s "How Will I Know".
Bethany Antonia & Nancy Xu – 26 points for a quickstep to Celeste’s "Stop This Flame".
Graeme Hall & Lauren Oakley – 24 points for a cha‑cha to Smokey Joe’s Cafe version of "Hound Dog".
Tabby Stoecker & Mark Karmalita – 22 points for a jive to Katseye’s "Animal".
Dani Dyer & Nikita Kuzmin – 22 points for a samba to Lush Life.
Jamie Winstone & Carlos Gu – 21 points for a tango to Donna Summer’s "I Feel Love".
Lawrence Robb & Jowita Przystal – 20 points for a paso doble to Harry Styles’ "Aperture".
Cach Mercer & Maddie Ingoldsby – 20 points for a quickstep to Bruno Mars’ "I Just Might".
Will Best & Dianne Buswell – 18 points for a samba to Robbie Williams’ "Rock DJ".
Chris Appleton & Amy Dowden – 16 points for a tango to Alice Merton’s "No Roots".
Dame Sarah Storey & Julian Caillon – 15 points for a quickstep to Kay Starr’s "C’est Magnifique".
Shaun Wright‑Phillips & Alexis Warr – 15 points for a cha‑cha to Paul Russell’s "Lil Boo Thang".
Melanie Walters & Aljaz Skorjanec – 15 points for a cha‑cha to Elton John & Kiki Dee’s "Don’t Go Breaking My Heart".

The episode finished with a three‑way tie for last place, all scoring 15 points. No public vote or elimination took place in the first week, allowing the judges’ scores to set the initial leaderboard.

Ratings Context and Future Episodes

Strictly’s latest launch episode, which aired a week earlier, had a peak of 5.8 million viewers and averaged 5.3 million. The first live show’s numbers are slightly lower but still place the programme as the most watched show of the night and top of the iPlayer most popular chart. The BBC notes that overnight ratings do not capture on‑demand viewership, suggesting the true audience may be larger.

The series will return on Saturday for a movie week special, with the new hosts and the full roster of celebrity contestants ready to compete. Viewers can expect further eliminations, public voting and the gradual narrowing of the leaderboard as the season progresses.

Key facts

First live episode peaked at five million viewers
John Nellis & Katya Jones led the leaderboard with 31 points
New hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe introduced the show
Week one had no public vote or elimination
Series returns for movie week with full cast

Why it matters

Strictly’s live broadcasts remain a cultural touchstone, drawing millions and showcasing a blend of celebrity culture and dance artistry. The new hosts and high‑profile performances signal a fresh direction for the long‑running series.

Frequently asked questions

What were the viewership figures for the first live episode?

The broadcast peaked at five million viewers and averaged 4.8 million across its duration.

Who are the new hosts of Strictly 2026?

Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe are the new presenters for the series.

Did the first episode include a public vote?

No, the first episode did not feature a public vote or elimination; the leaderboard was based solely on judges’ scores.

Which couple topped the leaderboard?

John Nellis and Katya Jones received the highest score of 31 points.

What is the next episode about?

The series will return for a movie week special, continuing the competition and introducing new challenges.

Sources

[1] standard.co.uk
[2] standard.co.uk