Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have been confirmed as the new presenters of Strictly Come Dancing. The trio will take over hosting duties when the BBC dance competition returns this autumn for its 24th series.
New Hosts Announced
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, expressed her delight at the announcement. “Emma, Johannes and Josh’s chemistry is undeniable. There’s been so much speculation and hype, so I’m relieved we can share the news with the public at last!” she said. “I’d like to thank all the brilliant people we saw before making this tough decision. But the most beloved ballroom in the UK always leads the way, and in a Strictly first we have chosen three outstanding hosts to take up the mantle.”
Radebe has been a professional dancer on Strictly for the past seven series. Willis is a seasoned presenter of competition shows such as The Voice and Big Brother. Widdicombe, a professional comedian, participated in the 2024 Christmas special of the dance competition.
Reactions from the New Hosts
“Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point,” said Widdicombe. “So I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television … I’ll dust off the penguin costume.”
Radebe added: “This show has always stood for joy, heart and togetherness, and I feel deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward. I’m ready – sequins, nerves and all ... please bear with me.”
Willis commented: “I can’t wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!”
Departure of Previous Hosts
The appointment follows the unexpected departure of previous hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The pair announced their exit via a joint Instagram post, which caught the BBC off guard, coming hours before the broadcaster’s official press release. Daly and Winkleman had co-hosted the show since 2014 and both received MBEs for services to broadcasting in June 2025.
Recent Controversies
The change in presenting lineup comes after several controversies surrounding Strictly Come Dancing. In August 2025, the BBC launched an investigation into alleged cocaine use by two of the show’s stars. Subsequently, two arrests were made on suspicion of rape: one involved an unnamed man in his 30s, who was also detained for alleged non-consensual intimate image abuse, though the BBC stated he was not involved in the 2025 series. The second arrest, made in October, did not lead to criminal charges due to insufficient evidence.
Additionally, Thomas Skinner, the first contestant to leave the 2025 series, accused the show of vote rigging. He claimed on social media that an anonymous email purporting to be from a BBC executive showed he had received far more votes than indicated. The BBC denies these allegations. In December 2025, it was widely reported that Skinner intended to sue the BBC, though the broadcaster stated it was unaware of any formal legal complaint.
Final Show and Future Plans
The 2025 Christmas Day special of Strictly Come Dancing was Winkleman and Daly’s last episode. Winkleman has since launched a new chat show, The Claudia Winkleman Show, produced by the company behind The Graham Norton Show, featuring celebrity interviews with a live studio audience. Last week, Daly announced her separation from her husband of 22 years, Vernon Kay.
