Strictly Come Dancing's returning professional dancers shared a glimpse inside day one of rehearsals for the 2026 series on Instagram on Monday. 

Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell and Jowita Przystal are among the stars returning to the dancefloor this year after the BBC show underwent a major shake-up. 

Amy, who underwent a second mastectomy last year after a breast cancer diagnosis in 2023, looked incredible as she showed off her toned abs in a black crop top and matching tracksuit bottoms. 

Styling her blonde tresses loose, the dancer beamed for a mirror selfie in the studio as she gushed: 'And we’re off! What a great day with these beautiful, talented souls!

'Welcoming our fabulous new pros too! @bbcstrictly let’s go!'  

Meanwhile Dianne cut a casual figure in a crochet top and denim shorts as she shared a selfie with her baby son, 'First day back at work, mummy will miss you so much my boy'. 

Dianne made history when she became the first professional to compete on the live show while pregnant last year. 

The Australian dancer announced that she and her partner, YouTuber and former contestant Joe Sugg welcomed their son Bowden in March. 

Now returning for her 10th year on the BBC show, Dianne looked happy as she posed for a group selfie in the studio. 

Elsewhere Jowita flashed her abs in a grey sports bra and leggings as she beamed for an Instagram selfie. 

The stars were also joined by returning pro Carlos Gu, 33, who scooped the coveted Glitterball Trophy with footballer Karen Carney.

As well as Katya Jones, Kai Widdrington, Aljaž Škorjanec, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Alexis Warr, Julian Caillon and Vito Coppola.

Five new faces were recently announced to the pro line-up, months after the Strictly axe ‘bloodbath’ saw bosses ditch stars Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Gorka Marquez.

Making their Strictly dancer debut this Autumn will be Ukrainian Aleksandra Isaeva, Italian hunk Cristian Priori, South African latin champion Lethabo Monametsi as well as Canadian dancer Mark Karmalita and UK National Ballroom Champion Maddie Ingoldsby.

So far, eight of this year's celebrity contestants have been revealed, including Will Best, Jaime Winstone, Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Dame Sarah Storey and Delta Goodrem.

EastEnders star Lacey was the first contestant announced as she is currently on an extended break from playing her iconic character Stacey Slater in the soap and is keen to use her time to train for the BBC competition, which will start in September.

In a video shared to Instagram, Lacey admitted she is 'terrified' to be taking part in the BBC show, which will return to screens in September, and can't wait to 'learn a new skill'.

She said: 'Hello it's Lacey Turner I can't quite believe that I'm actually saying this but I want to let you in on a little secret.

'This September I will be taking my little toes onto the dancefloor to do Strictly Come Dancing.

'I can't believe it. I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plucked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor. So, there you go the secret is out, see you there in September.'

Last week, Strictly faced backlash over the signing of Love Island star Cach, who is also a professional dancer.

The influencer and model, 25, was announced as the fifth celebrity to be taking part in this year's series.

And while most fans know him for winning last year's Love Island, others had to turn to Google to find out why he is famous.

Some fans shared their displeasure due to Cach's dance background, echoing the backlash Strictly stars JB Gill and Tasha Ghouri both received in previous years.

Cach has earned a legion of social media fans on TikTok for showcasing his Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance moves.

As well as modelling and DJing, Cach puts on dance classes for aspiring dancers.

Fans fumed: 'Had to google who he was, and the first thing that came up was 'professional dancer'!!! wtf @bbcstrictly',

'He's a professional dancer', 'Sorry but the inevitable who? Never heard of him,' Can we get some proper celebrities? Never heard of him,' 'extremely unfair on other contestants'.

Cach won Love Island in 2025 alongside his ex-girlfriend Toni Laites before splitting seven months later.

It comes after it was revealed Dani is also making her Strictly comeback.

The TV star has been confirmed as the second celeb to take part in the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing one year after she was forced to quit the 2025 run after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals.

Dani said: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September!'

'I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one! I'm just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!'

Upon her exit last year, BBC bosses confirmed the door would be left open for 'heartbroken' Dani to return for the 2026 series as they said they 'hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future'.