Fans of British television have a lot to celebrate this year, because Will Best Strictly Come Dancing 2026 news has taken over headlines and social media feeds. The Big Brother co-host and Hits Radio Breakfast presenter is stepping into the ballroom for the very first time, and his journey has already been packed with emotional twists — from a nerve-wracking announcement to joyful baby news just days before his first live performance. This article breaks down everything you need to know about Will Best’s Strictly Come Dancing debut, his career, his personal life, and what fans can expect from him this series.
Who Is Will Best?
Before diving into the excitement surrounding Will Best Strictly Come Dancing 2026, it helps to understand who this presenter actually is. William Trevorian Stuart Best, known professionally as Will Best, was born on 21 February 1985 in Wandsworth, London. Now 41 years old, he has spent more than 15 years building a broadcasting career across Channel 4, ITV, and the BBC.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Will began his screen career as a presenter on T4, quickly becoming a familiar face to British youth television audiences. He went on to work on:
- This Morning — as a guest presenter and entertainment reporter
- BBC Three and Viva — hosting various entertainment segments
- Dance Dance Dance — an ITV talent show he co-presented alongside Alesha Dixon
- Celebrity Coach Trip — appearing alongside comedian and friend Matt Richardson
His biggest career milestone came in 2023, when he was announced as the co-host of the revived ITV series Big Brother, working alongside AJ Odudu. The pair also went on to present the spin-off Celebrity Big Brother from 2024 onwards, cementing Will Best as one of the most recognisable young presenters on British TV.
He’s also a radio star, co-hosting the Hits Radio Breakfast Show, and recently added another achievement to his résumé by winning Celebrity Mastermind, with Danny Dyer as his specialist subject — a fitting choice given his cheeky, quintessentially British sense of humour.
Will Best Strictly Come Dancing Debut: The Big Announcement
The Will Best Strictly Come Dancing debut was confirmed in the summer of 2026, when the BBC revealed him as one of the newest celebrities joining the iconic dance competition. Speaking about the announcement, Best said:
“I can’t quite believe it… I’m doing Strictly! What an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one.”
He joins a stacked celebrity lineup for this year’s series, including EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, Love Island star Dani Dyer, Australian singer Delta Goodrem, hairstylist Chris Appleton, and Cach Mercer. This marks his Will Best BBC Strictly Come Dancing debut and adds another major credit to an already impressive presenting career.
Why This Season of Strictly Is Different
The Will Best Strictly 2026 debut arrives during a historic transition period for the beloved dance show. This series is significant because it marks the first time Strictly Come Dancing has been regularly presented by a new hosting trio: Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe — replacing the long-serving duo of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The judging panel remains largely familiar, with Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel Horwood returning to critique the celebrity-professional pairings each week.
For more information on the show’s history and current series, you can check the official BBC Strictly Come Dancing page.
Will Best BBC Show Debut: A Look at His TV Journey
| Year | Show | Network | Role |
| 2010 | T4 / Suck My Pop | Channel 4 | Presenter |
| 2012 | Love Shaft | Channel 4 | Presenter |
| 2017 | Dance Dance Dance | ITV | Co-host (with Alesha Dixon) |
| 2022 | Celebrity Coach Trip | Channel 4 | Contestant |
| 2023–present | Big Brother | ITV | Co-host (with AJ Odudu) |
| 2024–present | Celebrity Big Brother | ITV | Co-host |
| 2026 | Celebrity Mastermind | BBC | Winner |
| 2026 | Strictly Come Dancing (Series 24) | BBC | Contestant |
This table highlights just how varied Will Best’s BBC show debut history has become — moving from youth entertainment programming to primetime reality TV, and now to one of the most-watched dance competitions in the UK.
Will Best Baby News: A Joyful Surprise Before Strictly
Alongside the excitement of his ballroom debut, there’s been another headline dominating entertainment news: Will Best baby news. Just days before his first live Strictly performance, Best announced that he and his long-term partner, stylist Tobi Rose, are expecting their first child together.
The couple has been together for almost 15 years, and Best proposed to Tobi during a romantic getaway to Italy in 2024. The Will Best baby announcement came through a relaxed Instagram “summer dump” post, which included a photo of Best with his hand on Tobi’s baby bump, captioned playfully. He later admitted he likes “burying good news amongst quite boring bits of information,” joking with his Hits Radio co-hosts about how fans had to scroll through several photos before spotting the big reveal.
Reactions From Friends and Co-Stars
The announcement was met with an outpouring of support from Best’s colleagues and friends, including:
- AJ Odudu (Big Brother co-host) — recalled crying tears of joy when Best first told her the news
- Fleur East (Hits Radio co-host) — welcomed him to “the parent club”
- Oti Mabuse — offered her congratulations, noting she is expecting as well
- Johannes Radebe — sent well wishes as one of the new Strictly hosts
According to reports, Tobi is due to give birth around Christmas 2026, meaning Best may need to balance rehearsals and live shows with the excitement of impending fatherhood — a juggling act that has only added to the emotional weight of his Strictly journey this year.
What to Expect From Will Best on the Dance Floor
Fans searching for Will Best Strictly Come Dancing updates want to know one thing above all: can he actually dance? By his own admission, Best has “no idea” if he can dance, but he’s approaching the challenge with enthusiasm and humour, saying he plans to “enjoy every minute” of the experience.
Strengths Going Into the Competition
Several factors could work in Will Best’s favour as he begins his Strictly Come Dancing journey:
- Live broadcasting experience — years of hosting live TV have prepared him for performing under pressure
- Natural charisma — his presenting style is warm, funny, and relatable, which tends to win over Strictly’s audience
- Public support — his large following from Big Brother and Hits Radio gives him a strong fanbase heading into the competition
- Underdog appeal — celebrities who openly admit uncertainty about their dancing ability often earn extra sympathy (and votes) from viewers
Potential Challenges
- Balancing rehearsal schedules with an expectant partner at home
- No prior professional dance training, unlike some contestants with performance backgrounds
- High expectations from a passionate, long-running fanbase used to seeing dramatic transformations
Strictly Come Dancing 2026: Full Celebrity Lineup Context
To understand where Will Best sits within this year’s competition, it helps to look at the broader picture. The Will Best Strictly 2026 cohort includes a diverse mix of talent from soap operas, reality TV, music, and entertainment. This variety is part of what makes each series of Strictly so compelling — pairing recognisable personalities with professional dancers to create emotional, high-stakes television week after week.
Strictly Come Dancing has aired on BBC One since 15 May 2004, and remains one of the most-watched entertainment shows in the UK, drawing millions of viewers for its Saturday night live shows and Sunday results episodes.
FAQs About Will Best and Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Is Will Best confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2026?
Yes. Will Best was officially confirmed as one of the celebrity contestants for Strictly Come Dancing’s twenty-fourth series in the summer of 2026, joining a lineup that includes Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, and Cach Mercer.
What is Will Best known for before Strictly?
Will Best is best known as the co-host of ITV’s Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother alongside AJ Odudu, as well as co-presenting the Hits Radio Breakfast Show. He also won Celebrity Mastermind in 2026.
Is Will Best having a baby?
Yes. Will Best announced in September 2026 that he and his fiancée, stylist Tobi Rose, are expecting their first child together. The couple has been together for almost 15 years and got engaged in 2024.
Who are the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts in 2026?
The new hosting trio for the 2026 series is Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, replacing longtime presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
When does the new series of Strictly Come Dancing start?
Series 24 of Strictly Come Dancing launched in September 2026, with the launch show airing shortly before the live shows began.
Who are the judges on Strictly Come Dancing 2026?
The judging panel features Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel Horwood.
Final Thoughts
The story of Will Best Strictly Come Dancing 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most heartwarming narratives of this year’s series. Between his long-awaited BBC show debut, his joyful baby news, and his refreshingly honest approach to a competition he admits he’s “terrified” of, Best brings a genuine, relatable energy to the ballroom. Whether or not he lifts the glitterball trophy, his journey already reflects everything fans love about Strictly — real people, real emotion, and real growth under the spotlight. As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Will Best to see how he balances fatherhood, rehearsals, and the demands of live television, all while trying to win over both the judges and the British public.
