Much like the Strictly Come Dancing celebs, spin-off It Takes Two has had a complete makeover for the 2026 series – but not all fans have been happy with the changes.
The Strictly companion show returned on Monday (28 September) night to show off its revamp, with new host and competition alum Ellie Taylor making her presenting debut.
Taylor was well received by fans, but some weren’t pleased with a new change to the format, which now sees the show’s celebrity stars come on the show without their professional dance partners. In previous years, we’ve seen various pairings drop by It Takes Two together to share an update on how rehearsals for that week are going, or to give an emotional exit interview after being eliminated at the weekend.
Taking to social media while the spin-off aired last night, viewers complained about the lack of professional dancers on the sofa, with the episode instead featuring contestants Chris Appleton, Delta Goodrem and Jaime Winstone as well as last year’s winner Karen Carney and Strictly: Lights Up hosts Tyler West and Abi Clarke.
“Why does BBC think getting rid of pros can make It Takes Two better when the partnership between pros and celebs is the biggest part of this show? not to mention the vast majority of the viewers are there to watch different dynamics between various couples #strictly,” one viewer wrote on X.
Another tweeted: “Felt so wrong not seeing the pros with the celebs I want to see my fave pros please!!!!! #strictly#ittakestwo.” While a third wrote: “You're seriously telling me they did #ItTakesTwo without the pro dancers?! Are the producers on another planet? (This is the polite version of the tweet). #Strictly#Scd.”
The reception wasn’t completely negative, though, with some saying that they were a fan of the new format. “Am I the only one that actually enjoyed It Takes Two tonight? I enjoy listening to just the couples talk #strictly,” one person wrote. A second said that they “loved” the new version of It Takes Two, adding that “Ellie was fab” as the new presenter.
Last month, Strictly announced that Ted Lasso star and 2022 contestant Taylor would be taking over It Takes Two after it was reported that former hosts Fleur East and Janette Manrara were no longer with the programme.
“I feel so thrilled to be back in the Strictly world,” she said at the time. “It’s a dream come true.”
East, who hosted It Takes Two in 2023, said in May that she was initially “bothered” about being turned down to present the main show, and a month later, former dance pro Manrara confirmed that she was no longer involved with It Takes Two. The BBC told The Independent in July that it was “factually incorrect to claim that either has been axed” from the spin-off.
This year’s series of Strictly sees 15 celebrities compete for the glitterball trophy, with the likes of EastEnders star Lacey Turner, Love Island’s Dani Dyer and footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips taking part.
The live shows kicked off at the weekend as the stars took to the ballroom floor for the first time. Content creator John Nellis topped the leaderboard after receiving a score of 31 for his foxtrot, while Gavin & Stacey’s Melanie Walters, Dame Sarah Storie and Wright-Phillips were joint bottom with scores of 15.
