The Strictly Come Dancing family has been buzzing once again â and this time, itâs thanks to professional dance duo Kai Widdrington and Lauren Oakley, who have just made a double announcement thatâs left fans both thrilled and emotional.
After weeks of speculation about their future on the hit BBC show, the beloved pair finally broke their silence, confirming not only their return to Strictly Come Dancing this autumn but also revealing exciting new plans that will see them âkeep dancingâ well into next year.

 Back on the Ballroom Floor
Long-time Strictly fans will be delighted to know that both Kai and Lauren are officially returning as part of the 2025 professional dancer line-up.
Theyâll be rejoining fan favourites Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, and Neil Jones, along with Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, AljaĆŸ Ć korjanec, Michelle Tsiakkas, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Luba Mushtuk, and Vito Coppola.
Adding to the excitement, So You Think You Can Dance champion Alexis Warr and Dancing With The Stars Australia pro Julian Caillon will join the cast for the first time, promising a fresh burst of international talent to the beloved British show.
As one BBC insider put it, âThis yearâs line-up is one of the strongest and most exciting weâve seen in years â thereâs so much chemistry, talent, and personality in the room.â
 A âDouble Surpriseâ Fans Didnât See Coming
While their return to Strictly was already cause for celebration, Kai and Lauren took things a step further by sharing a joint Instagram video with Donaheys Dance School, unveiling a âdouble announcementâ that instantly sent fans into overdrive.
In the clip, the two dancers radiated their signature charm and playful energy as they confirmed theyâll be part of two major âDancing With The Starsâ weekend events in 2026 â exclusive fan experiences filled with workshops, performances, and behind-the-scenes insights into their glittering careers.âWeâre absolutely thrilled to be joining Donaheys for not one, but two incredible weekends next year!â Lauren said with a smile.
âWe canât wait to meet everyone, share our passion for dance, and have a few laughs along the way,â Kai added.
The announcement post from Donaheys read:âDOUBLE ANNOUNCEMENT!  Weâre delighted to share that the dynamic duo Kai Widdrington and Lauren Oakley will be joining us for TWO of our 2026 Dancing With The Stars weekends! Expect world-class dance workshops, dazzling showcases, and heartfelt Q&As where fans can dive deep into their careers and personal journeys. These two always bring laughter, friendship, and pure magic wherever they go.â
Within hours, the post was flooded with comments from thrilled fans, many calling the news âthe best thing to happen all week.â
 Their Bond, Their Energy, Their Magic
Since joining Strictly Come Dancing, Kai and Lauren have built a reputation as one of the showâs most endearing and dynamic pairings. Off-screen, their chemistry, humour, and genuine friendship have made them fan favourites â both admired for their talent and adored for their authenticity.
Dance insiders say their involvement in the 2026 events will offer fans a rare chance to see their connection up close, away from the television cameras. âTheyâre electric together,â one source shared. âWhether theyâre teaching or performing, they light up the room.â
 A Time of Change at Strictly
The exciting announcement follows another major update within the Strictly camp. Professional dancer Gorka Mårquez recently confirmed that he will not be paired with a celebrity partner in the upcoming season due to scheduling conflicts with another project.
Fans expressed disappointment but were quick to show support, with one writing, âWeâll miss Gorka on the dance floor, but weâre excited to see whatâs next for him.â
With Gorka stepping aside and new faces joining the pro line-up, this yearâs Strictly promises to be one of the most unpredictable and refreshing yet â and Kai and Laurenâs announcement only adds to the buzz.
 âThe Show Must Go Onâ
For Kai and Lauren, the message behind their announcement was simple:Â the joy of dance never stops.âStrictly has given us so much,â Lauren said in the video. âAnd next year, weâre ready to give back â to dance, laugh, and connect with the people who make it all possible: the fans.â
Their shared enthusiasm has struck a chord across the Strictly community, reminding everyone why the show remains a beloved British institution after two decades on air.
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