Julian Caillon drops huge hint at next BBC Strictly partner - and she may already be part of the 2026 series

Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe have been drafted in to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as the faces of the show, while several pro dancers - including Karen Hauer and Nadiya Bychkova - have exited the franchise.

Mr Caillon is one man who will be part of the team hoping to keep the glitz and glam of Strictly shining, and speaking to GB News about the new series, he could barely contain his excitement in light of the changes.

"Yeah, I'm buzzing," he said on the Tric Awards red carpet. "It's going to be a very kind of new and very different show. So I think everyone's really excited to see kind of what's gonna happen!"

Applauding the first confirmed crop of celebs - Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Lacey Turner, and Chris Appleton - he added: "I think all of the lineup that has been announced so far have been incredible.

"So, yeah, I'm really, really excited. It's going to be my second year, so Alexis (Warr) and I officially won't be the newbies anymore. Really looking forward to it."

And his first reaction when he heard about the new presenting trio? "Well, I mean, my first reaction was I was super happy for Johannes," he admitted.

"I think he's gonna be absolutely incredible. I saw him in Kinky Boots recently. He's just a star.

"I'm still new to the UK, so I'm still getting to know all the TV personalities, and I've seen bits and bobs of Emma and Josh.

"I think Josh is really funny as well and I think they're going to bring a really new, fresh energy, and I'm really looking forward to meeting them and getting to know them and going on this mad journey together."

Mr Caillon defied the odds week after week in 2025 as he progressed to the business end of the competition alongside EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal.

Looking ahead to his next partner, Mr Caillon outlined what he hopes for in a partner: "Anyone who's really up for having a good time, that's it.

" Balvinder and I, we had such an incredible journey last year. So as long as we get along, we have a great time and we're in it for the journey, then fantastic."

While not naming names, Mr Caillon did drop a rather cryptic clue as to who he'd perhaps like to take to the dancefloor with.

"But, you know, there is an Aussie icon there," he teased, referring to Eurovision finalist and Australian singer, Ms Goodrem.

Fans won't know the official pairings until the show gets underway in September.

Ms Goodrem was unveiled as one of the very first stars confirmed for the upcoming series in June.

She said at the time: "I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is, however, one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!

"I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!"

Strictly fans will have to watch this space to see if two Aussies will team up for the new series.

But in the meantime, Mr Caillon and Ms Sopal have maintained the bond they established during their time in the competition.

"Yesterday, we met up for a coffee and a pastry," Mr Caillon told GB News. "We still keep in touch regularly and we catch up, we have dinner together, and we still have an amazing relationship.

"She's my first partner on Strictly, so someone that I'll hold dear for a long time."