BREAKING: Strictly stars hit with devastating blow just hours before first live show
Strictly Come Dancing has been hit by fresh viewer criticism just hours before the first live show of the 2026 series.
Following the launch show on September 19, all 15 celebrities are preparing to perform live with their professional partners for the first time.
But after the BBC revealed the week-one songs and dances, some fans were left disappointed by the balance of routines chosen for the opening night.
Several viewers pointed out that nine of the 15 couples are performing Latin dances, while no pair has been given a Waltz.
Fans Question Lack of Waltzes
The dance selection quickly sparked discussion online, with one Reddit user noting how heavily the first show appeared to favour Latin routines such as the Cha Cha and Tango.
That left some viewers concerned that the following week could swing too far in the opposite direction and become heavily focused on ballroom.
One fan, who said they had started watching Strictly after previously following Dancing With the Stars in America, admitted they had hoped to see more traditional Waltzes.
They wrote that DWTS rarely features the slow Waltz and said they had expected Strictly to include more of them.
Another viewer suggested producers may deliberately be prioritising bigger, high-energy dances early in the series in an attempt to win over audiences.
They described the routines as “crowdpleasing big bombs” but questioned whether that approach could create problems later.
“I’m sure it’ll go down well,” the fan wrote, before suggesting viewers may be less impressed once many of the more energetic routines have already been used.
‘So Many Cha Cha Chas’
Another frustration concerned the number of celebrities performing the same dance.
Lacey Turner, Melanie Walters, Graeme Hall and Shaun Wright-Phillips are all set to perform a Cha Cha during the opening live show.
One viewer reacted: “So. Many. Cha Cha Chas. I really hate it.”
Another fan complained about the musical choices, claiming some tracks had already become too familiar.
“Same songs over and over again, does the BBC not know any other songs?” they wrote on X.
Despite the criticism, plenty of viewers remained enthusiastic about the first live show and posted messages wishing the contestants luck ahead of their opening routines.
New Hosts Face First Live Test
Saturday will also mark a major moment for Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
The trio have replaced longtime presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as part of one of the biggest changes to Strictly in recent years.
Their first appearances together came during pre-recorded episodes, which received a mixed reaction from some viewers.
Now they face the additional pressure of presenting the competition live.
The change in presenters is only one part of a wider shake-up surrounding the 2026 series, with a new celebrity cast and fresh professional partnerships also settling into the ballroom.
Saturday night will therefore provide the first proper opportunity for audiences to see how the revamped format works under live conditions.
All 15 Couples Prepare for Opening Performances
The celebrities will take to the floor knowing there will be no elimination during the first live show.
Instead, the opening routines will give the judges and viewers their first real look at how each partnership is developing.
The criticism over the dance line-up does not appear to have dampened excitement completely, but it has created another talking point around a series already undergoing significant change.
With nine Latin routines, four Cha Chas and no Waltz on the schedule, some viewers are clearly hoping future weeks will offer a broader mix.
For now, though, all attention turns to the ballroom as the 15 couples perform live for the first time — and the new presenting trio finally face their biggest test yet.
