Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Week 1 songs and dances: Full list of dances and music for Saturday

The week one songs and dances have been revealed as Strictly Come Dancing 2026 prepares to launch into its first live show, with all 15 celebrity and professional couples taking to the ballroom for the first time on Saturday, September 26.

The opening live show will see this year’s contestants perform their first routines in front of judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.

While the scores will count towards the competition, there will be no public vote or elimination in week one. Instead, the marks awarded on Saturday will be carried forward to the following week, when viewers will get their first chance to vote for their favourite couples.

Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Jojo Siwa will host the opening live show as the new series gets fully underway.

When is Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Week 1?

The first live episode of Strictly Come Dancing 2026 airs on Saturday, September 26 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

All 15 couples will perform during the show, giving viewers their first opportunity to see this year’s celebrities take to the dance floor after weeks of rehearsals.

The show will also begin with a special performance from the professional dancers, joined by the hosts and judges, set to an orchestral version of “Joy” by RAYE.

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Week 1 songs and dances

The BBC has now revealed the complete song and dance list for the first live show.

Here’s what each of the 15 couples will perform.

Bethany and Nancy

Bethany and Nancy will open their Strictly journey with a Quickstep to “Stop This Flame” by Celeste.

Dani and Nikita

Dani and Nikita will perform the Samba to “Lush Life” by Zara Larsson.

Delta and Kai

Delta and Kai will also take on a Samba, dancing to “Baianá” by Barbatuques.

Jaime and Carlos

Jaime and Carlos will bring some drama to the ballroom with a Tango to “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer.

Lacey and Vito

Lacey and Vito will perform the Cha Cha to Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know”.

Melanie and Aljaž

Melanie and Aljaž will dance a Cha Cha to “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Elton John and Kiki Dee.

Dame Sarah and Julian

Dame Sarah and Julian will tackle a Quickstep to “C’est Magnifique” by Kay Starr.

Tabby and Mark

Tabby and Mark will make their debut with a Jive to “Animal” by KATSEYE.

Cach and Maddie

Cach and Maddie will perform a Quickstep to “I Just Might” by Bruno Mars.

Chris and Amy

Chris and Amy will dance the Tango to “No Roots” by Alice Merton.

Graeme and Lauren

Graeme and Lauren will perform a Cha Cha to “Hound Dog”, using the Smokey Joe’s Café version.

John and Katya

John and Katya will take on the Foxtrot to “Ordinary” by Alex Warren.

Lawrence and Jowita

Lawrence and Jowita will perform the Paso Doble to “Aperture” by Harry Styles.

Shaun and Alexis

Shaun and Alexis will dance a Cha Cha to “Lil Boo Thang” by Paul Russell.

Will and Dianne

Will and Dianne will round off the celebrity performances with a Samba to “Rock DJ” by Robbie Williams.

Is there a Strictly Come Dancing elimination this week?

There will be no elimination in week one of Strictly Come Dancing 2026.

Although the judges will award their first scores, viewers won’t be able to vote during the opening live show.

The scores from Saturday’s performances will instead be carried forward into week two. That’s when the public will be able to vote for their favourite couples for the first time.

It means all 15 couples are guaranteed to return to the ballroom for another performance next week, regardless of the scores they receive on Saturday.

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Week 1 dance list

For viewers looking for the complete Strictly Come Dancing Week 1 song list in one place, the couples and their routines are:

Couple	Dance	Song
Bethany & Nancy	Quickstep	“Stop This Flame” – Celeste
Dani & Nikita	Samba	“Lush Life” – Zara Larsson
Delta & Kai	Samba	“Baianá” – Barbatuques
Jaime & Carlos	Tango	“I Feel Love” – Donna Summer
Lacey & Vito	Cha Cha	“How Will I Know” – Whitney Houston
Melanie & Aljaž	Cha Cha	“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” – Elton John & Kiki Dee
Dame Sarah & Julian	Quickstep	“C’est Magnifique” – Kay Starr
Tabby & Mark	Jive	“Animal” – KATSEYE
Cach & Maddie	Quickstep	“I Just Might” – Bruno Mars
Chris & Amy	Tango	“No Roots” – Alice Merton
Graeme & Lauren	Cha Cha	“Hound Dog” – Smokey Joe’s Café version
John & Katya	Foxtrot	“Ordinary” – Alex Warren
Lawrence & Jowita	Paso Doble	“Aperture” – Harry Styles
Shaun & Alexis	Cha Cha	“Lil Boo Thang” – Paul Russell
Will & Dianne	Samba	“Rock DJ” – Robbie Williams

What happens next on Strictly Come Dancing?

The first live show is effectively a chance for the celebrities to make their ballroom debuts without the immediate threat of leaving the competition.

The judges’ scores will establish the initial leaderboard, but the first public vote will not take place until week two.

That means Saturday’s performances will give viewers their first look at how the couples are shaping up, while the celebrities themselves will have another week to prepare before the competition becomes an elimination contest.

With all 15 couples performing, the opening show is set to feature a wide variety of styles, from Quicksteps and Cha Chas to Tangos, Sambas, a Jive and a Paso Doble.

Strictly Come Dancing returns live on Saturday, September 26, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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