The Bafta red carpet was full of Strictly Come Dancing stars this year – even if the winners’ room will not be (Picture: Getty)
The stars of Strictly Come Dancing were out in force to celebrate this year’s TV Baftas – despite not being nominated.
In a shocking turn of events, the glitzy BBC dance show was not recognised in any categories this time around.
This comes after Karen Carney and Carlos Gu’s triumph in the 2025 series, which also marked Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s final one as hosts, with an announcement of their replacements thought to be imminent.
Instead, The Graham Norton Show, Last One Laughing, Would I Lie To You?, and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show were nominated for the entertainment TV Bafta, shutting Strictly out entirely.
Still, its professionals and former contestants donned their finest attire to walk the red carpet this weekend, without the added pressure of potentially having to make a speech.
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Dianne Buswell was solo on the carpet, having welcomed her first child, Bowie, with real-life partner Joe Sugg just weeks ago.
Strictly pro Dianne Buswell beamed as she made her first red carpet appearance since giving birth just weeks ago (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Katya Jones walked with best pal Aimee Fuller, both in dramatic red numbers (Picture: Kate Green/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Actor Lewis Cope was one of the favourites last series on Strictly (Picture: Zak Hussein/Variety via Getty Images)
Finalist Amber Davies grinned as she gave interviews (Picture: Scott Garfitt/Bafta via Getty Images)
The flame-haired pro – who has been confirmed to return to the line-up in 2026 – looked gorgeous in a strapless black gown, with her vibrant locks styled in an up do.
Katya Jones joined her in a dramatic, deep red gown. Strictly bosses reportedly saved the Russian choreographer from the mass cull of professionals, which left Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuck, and Michelle Tsiakkas ‘devastated’ when their contracts were not renewed.
Meanwhile, contestant Lewis Cope, who wowed everyone with his skills last season, walked the carpet with his girlfriend. Finalist Amber Davies also attended, looking fabulous in a sparkly, high-neck number.
Noticeably absent was ex-host Tess, who has made her fair share of headlines this weekend, announcing she and Vernon Kay are divorcing after nearly 23 years of marriage.
Claudia, on the other hand, jetted back from the Scottish Highlands, where she’s been filming for season 2 of The Celebrity Traitors, which stars Miranda Hart, Maya Jama, James Blunt, Richard E Grant, and more.
Claudia Winkleman was out to celebrate The Celebrity Traitors – not Strictly (Picture: John Phillips/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
While Tess Daly was absent, Claudia was joined by husband Kris Thykier (Picture: Scott Garfitt/Bafta via Getty Images)
Dame Mary Berry looked adorable in pink as she celebrated receiving the highest Bafta honour (Picture: John Phillips/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Owen Cooper looked cool as ever following a huge year of major award wins (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
He posed with his Adolescence family, Stephen Graham and wife Hannah Walters (Picture: Kate Green/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Erin Doherty was the image of glamour in a daringly low-cut dress (Picture: John Phillips/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
The award-winning presenter represented Strictly without her right-hand woman, donning her usual all-black clothing and her trademark fringe sweeping across her forehead, holding hands with her own husband, Kris Thykier.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Claudia, though, as Celeb Traitors was put up for several gongs following Alan Carr’s epic (and unlikely) £87,500 win.
Elsewhere in Bafta land, Bake Off queen Dame Mary Berry looked delightful in a pastel pink ensemble with matching ballet pumps and a pear necklace.
The 91-year-old has been honoured with this year’s Bafta fellowship, the highest accolade that can be bestowed on a person to recognise their exceptional contributions.
Speaking to Roman Kemp on the red carpet, Dame Mary said sweetly: ‘You hear about actors and directors getting it, so as a cook, I feel very honoured. I’m immensely honoured to join those wonderful people who already won it; it’s amazing.’
‘Twas a big night for baby bumps, with pregnant TV presenter Laura Whitmore posing alongside husband Iain Stirling (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Scarlett Moffatt is also expecting her second child (Picture: Kate Green/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews recently announced their family was growing following a miscarriage last year (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Other major names stepping out for one of the most prestigious nights in British television included the cast of Adolescence, which looks set to wrap up its headline-making year in glittering style, having been nominated in 11 categories, including for best limited drama.
The Netflix series propelled schoolboy Owen Cooper to unprecedented overnight stardom in 2025, thanks to his portrayal of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for the murder of a female classmate.
Diving into incel culture and sparking important conversations about online safety and manosphere culture – even in parliament – the four-parter completely rocked the TV landscape, both with moving performances from Cooper and co-stars Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, and Erin Doherty, and by shooting each ep in one continuous take.
This afternoon, Owen posed proudly at the Baftas in a super cool jacket, with co-creator Stephen and his wife, Hannah, having pretty much taken him under their wing in the last 12 months.
Tonight was also a big one for baby bumps, as plenty made an appearance.
Danny and Dani Dyer were the ultimate dad-daughter duo (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Rachel Duffy opted for a demure blue ensemble – the total opposite of her Traitors cloak (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Speaking of Traitors, Celeb Traitors winner Alan Carr beamed alongside his TV pal Amanda Holden (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Frankie Bridge wins the award for the quirkiest neckline (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Louis Theroux was as trendy as ever, pairing his suit with trainers (Picture: John Phillips/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Vogue Williams debuted hers, having confirmed she and Spencer Matthews are expecting their fourth child.
It’s been a tough year for the spouses, with Spencer telling Metro ahead of the London Marathon that they’d experienced ‘complications’, including a miscarriage.
Stronger than ever, they posed arm-in-arm at tonight’s bash, Spencer looking dapper in a black tux and Vogue wearing a contrasting white lace number, oozing elegance.
Scarlett Moffatt is also pregnant, expecting her second baby with Scott Dobinson, to whom she got engaged in 2023.
The ex-Gogglebox star cradled her growing belly proudly, surely hoping for a calmer night at the Baftas than she had at the I’m A Celebrity South Africa final.
What It Feels Like For A Girl lead star Ellis Howard has been recognised in the memorable moment category (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Adam Scott of Severance made the trip from across the pond (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Recent Saturday Night Live UK host Aimee Lou Wood posed with fellow The White Lotus star Jason Isaacs (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Steven Knight was in high spirits, with his show A Thousand Blows nominated this year (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
The Graham Norton Show shut out Strictly from the entertainment category this time (Picture: John Phillips/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
The Studio’s Seth Rogen threw up a peace sign (Picture: Scott Garfitt/Bafta via Getty Images)
Rounding off the pregnancies, we had TV presenter Laura Whitmore, who arrived with Love Island commentator husband Iain Stirling.
Other celebrities in attendance this year included Danny and Dani Dyer, Amanda Holden, Louis Theroux, and Aimee Lou Wood.
From across the pond came Severance star Adam Scott and Canadian The Studio lead Seth Rogen, while Steven Knight took a night off from working on the next James Bond movie to celebrate his nominated show A Thousand Blows.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Bafta chief executive Jane Millichip praised a ‘particularly strong year’ for television, expressing how ‘excited’ she was to hand out trophies to the winners.
‘This is the last awards of the season for Bafta, and it pretty much closes the awards season itself, so it always feels really celebratory,’ she said following the Film Awards.
Greg Davies hosts this year’s ceremony, taking over from Alan Cumming (Picture: Scott Garfitt/Bafta via Getty Images)
She lauded recent television shows for their ‘really stand-out water cooler moments, adding: ‘Whether it’s comedy, entertainment, or drama: Adolescence, Celebrity Traitors, Amandaland, Last One Laughing.
‘They are all really powerful shows in their own right, and I think it’s an amazing platform for British talent.
‘(The awards are) not only recognising great work and excellence but also shine a light on that talent. Hopefully, it will inspire the talents of the future.’
Taskmaster comedian Greg Davies hosts this year’s broadcast, succeeding Alan Cumming.
Watch the TV Baftas 2026 on the BBC from 7pm.
Bafta TV award winners 2026
Supporting actor – Owen Cooper, Adolescence
Supporting actress – Christine Tremarco, Adolescence
Reality – Celebrity Traitors
Scripted comedy – Amandaland
Factual series – See No Evil
Children’s non-scripted – World. War. Me. (Sky Kids Investigates)
Children’s scripted – Crongto
Entertainment – Last One Laughing
Limited Drama – Adolescence
Single documentary – Grenfell: Uncovered
Short form – Hustle and Run
Live Event Coverage – VE Day 80
Actor in a comedy – Steve Coogan, How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge)
Actress in a comedy – Katherine Parkinson, Here We Go
Soap – EastEnders
Sports coverage – UEFA Women’s Euro 2025
Daytime – Scam Interceptors
Current Affairs – Gaza: Doctors Under Attack
News coverage – Channel 4 News: Israel-Iran: The Twelve Day War
Factual entertainment – Go Back To Where You Came From
Bafta special award – Martin Lewis
P&O Cruises memorable moment – Alan Carr wins The Celebrity Traitors
International – The Studio
Bafta Fellowship – Dame Mary Berry
Entertainment performance – Bob Mortimer, Last One Laughing
Drama series – Code of Silence
Leading actress – Narges Rashidi, Prisoner 951
Leading actor – Stephen Graham, Adolescence
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