“No doubt about it”- Strictly fans predict their winner and tip star to be out first following launch show
Strictly Come Dancing fans have already started picking their favourites for the 2026 series, with Lacey Turner emerging as one of the early names viewers believe could go all the way.
The new series officially got under way on Saturday night as all 15 celebrities discovered which professional dancers they would be partnered with.
This year’s launch show introduced a new twist, with the stars and professionals learning their pairings while taking part in a group routine.
The celebrities swapped partners several times during the dance before the hosts eventually revealed which couples would compete together throughout the series.
The format immediately got viewers talking, and some fans wasted little time predicting which partnerships could reach the final.
Among the most popular early combinations was EastEnders star Lacey Turner and professional dancer Vito Coppola.
Lacey Turner Quickly Emerges as Fan Favourite
During the launch routine, Lacey discovered she would be dancing with Vito, who has previously enjoyed success on the programme.
The pairing was immediately welcomed by viewers, with several fans predicting that the two could make a serious run towards the Glitterball Trophy.
One viewer wrote: “I think I’ve found my first 2 finalists already, and it’s only the launch show,” alongside a picture featuring Lacey and Vito as well as Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin.
Another fan said: “Go Lacey and Vito, hopefully another strong partnership.”
Others were even more confident.
“Lacey Turner for the mf win!” one viewer wrote.
Another declared: “MOTHER LACEY SHE’S TAKING THE WHOLE THING.”
A further fan said they were “manifesting Lacey & Vito as #strictly winners 2026”, while another simply wrote: “Winners. No doubt about it.”
The enthusiastic comments reflect early fan excitement rather than any indication of how Lacey will actually perform once the live competition begins.
New Launch Twist Wins Praise
Part of the excitement surrounding the pairings came from the BBC’s new way of revealing them.
Rather than simply introducing each celebrity to their professional partner one by one, contestants took part in a routine and repeatedly switched dancers.
The final partnerships were then revealed during pauses in the performance.
The change created additional suspense and allowed viewers to see the celebrities interact with several professionals before learning who they would ultimately compete with.
For Lacey and Vito, that moment appears to have immediately created one of the strongest early fan followings of the series.
Graeme Hall Faces Very Different Reaction
While Lacey received plenty of early support, Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly star Graeme Hall found himself on the opposite side of some viewers’ predictions.
Graeme was partnered with professional dancer Lauren Oakley, but several fans immediately suggested the pair could face an early elimination.
Some viewers were particularly disappointed for Lauren.
“Oh god POOR LAUREN,” one fan wrote.
Another predicted: “Poor Lauren out the first week.”
A third viewer suggested both Lauren and fellow professional Alexis Warr might not remain in the competition for long, after Alexis was paired with former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Another fan commented: “Think they may have done Lauren bad this year.”
Not Everyone Is Writing Graeme Off
Despite the negative predictions, Graeme also received encouraging comments following the launch show.
One viewer pushed back against suggestions that he was destined for an early exit, writing: “Graeme didn’t suck! So there is hope for Lauren to go a little further this year.”
Another fan was considerably more enthusiastic, declaring: “Graeme and Lauren are FAB!!!”
Those comments highlight how divided early reactions can be before any contestant has performed a full competitive routine.
No celebrity has yet been eliminated, and the launch show alone offers little indication of how the partnerships will develop once training intensifies.
Fans Already Choosing Their Teams
Even so, viewers appear to have quickly settled on some early favourites.
Lacey and Vito have attracted particularly strong support, with several fans already predicting a place in the final and even a potential victory.
Graeme and Lauren, meanwhile, have faced more cautious expectations, although some viewers clearly believe the partnership could surprise people.
At this stage, all of those predictions remain fan opinions rather than evidence of who will succeed or struggle.
Once the live shows begin, judges’ scores, professional choreography and the public vote could completely reshape the early picture.
For now, however, Lacey Turner appears to have made one of the strongest first impressions among viewers — while Graeme Hall may be entering the competition with something to prove.
