Emma Willis has revealed her "worry" as she prepares to host her debut series of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One. The TV presenter will co-host the beloved ballroom competition alongside comedian Josh Widdicombe and former professional dancer Johannes Radebe, a lineup announced in May after Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly stepped down at the end of the 2025 series.
Chemistry Concerns
Speaking candidly on BBC Radio 2, Willis and Widdicombe discussed the pressure of filling the shoes of the previous hosts. Willis expressed concern that audience expectations for their on-screen chemistry had been set too high. "Do you know what worries me?" she asked. "A few things I've read recently is that people go, well, people are going, 'The chemistry was off the charts.' I'm like, don't set it that far, the bar that high, because then we've got nowhere to go! Yeah, go, 'They all got on really well.' Start there."
Excitement and Nerves
Despite her nerves, Willis added, "But what fun we're going to have." Widdicombe replied, "I know, I'm so excited. I know this sounds weird, because obviously it is a bit huge, and you know it's huge, but you don't realise how huge it is. So you haven't even been on it yet, and that's all the people in the street talk to you about." Willis responded, "Yeah, I keep going, 'Yeah, thanks' and they're like, 'Are you excited?' I'm like, 'I'm terrified.'"
Farewell to Winkleman and Daly
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly confirmed their departures in October 2025, announcing it felt "like the right time" to leave together. In a joint Instagram statement, they said: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They're the most brilliant team and we'll miss them every day."
Confirmed Celebrities for 2026
Four celebrities have been confirmed for the 2026 series: celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton, EastEnders star Lacey Turner, singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem, and former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer. Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.
