Strictly Come Dancing Unveils Three New Hosts to Succeed Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman

Strictly Come Dancing Announces Its New Presenting Trio

The BBC has officially revealed the three new faces set to front one of British television's most beloved programmes. TV presenter Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe have been confirmed as the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, stepping in to fill the considerable void left by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman following their departure from the show last year.

A Historic Three-Host Format

This marks a first in Strictly history — the show will now be fronted by three permanent presenters simultaneously. While Sir Bruce Forsyth previously shared duties with Winkleman during his later years on the programme, a dedicated presenting trio of this nature is entirely new territory for the series. Hosting responsibilities are expected to be divided equally among the three, representing a notable shift from the format audiences grew accustomed to during the Tess and Claudia era.

What the New Hosts Had to Say

Emma Willis expressed pure delight at the opportunity, describing herself as a long-time admirer of the show. "To be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can't quite comprehend," she said, conveying the significance of the role.

Josh Widdicombe was equally enthusiastic, admitting he was "giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed" at the prospect of taking on what he called "the biggest shoes in television."

For Johannes Radebe, the announcement carries a deeply personal meaning. Having been a beloved professional dancer on Strictly for eight years, transitioning to a presenting role is, in his own words, "beyond anything I ever imagined."

The Selection Process and Those Who Missed Out

The announcement follows a rigorous and widely publicised audition process involving several high-profile television personalities. Among those who screen-tested for the role was Zoe Ball, who later openly admitted to experiencing "the seven stages of grief and rejection" after learning she had not been selected.

Rylan Clark also confirmed his involvement in the process via social media, posting his congratulations to the newly appointed trio while acknowledging that "this wasn't my time." Ever the entertainer, Rylan accompanied his post with a now-iconic clip of himself breaking down in tears during his 2012 X Factor journey — a video that has long since achieved meme status online.

Executive Producer Praises the New Line-Up

Strictly's executive producer Sarah James spoke warmly of the new combination, describing it as "unexpected" yet undeniably compelling. "Their magic was undeniable the moment they came together," she said.

James praised Willis for her "wealth of presenting experience and natural warmth," highlighted Widdicombe's "razor-sharp wit and unique self-deprecating humour," and celebrated Radebe as "a one-of-a-kind talent" whose deep knowledge of the show will enrich his new role enormously.

Meet the New Hosts

Emma Willis

Born in Birmingham, Emma Willis began her career as a model before making her TV debut on MTV in 2002. She rose to mainstream prominence hosting Big Brother on Channel 5, eventually taking charge of both the main show and its celebrity spin-off.

Willis is perhaps best known today as the long-running host of The Voice UK — a talent competition that originated on the BBC in 2012 before transferring to ITV in 2017 — as well as its junior counterpart, The Voice Kids. Her broader presenting portfolio includes Channel 4's The Circle, and appearances on Loose Women and This Morning.

On a personal note, Willis is married to Busted musician Matt Willis. The couple co-hosted Netflix's Love Is Blind UK in 2024 and previously worked together on the ITV2 companion show to I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

Willis's Strictly appointment also raises an intriguing scheduling prospect — she could find herself presenting primetime Saturday night television on both the BBC and ITV simultaneously this autumn, having already filmed the upcoming series of The Voice UK.

Josh Widdicombe

Josh Widdicombe launched his stand-up comedy career in 2008 and quickly became a familiar face on British panel shows, including Taskmaster, Mock the Week, Have I Got News For You, and 8 Out of 10 Cats.

Since 2012, he has been a core cast member of Channel 4's The Last Leg alongside Adam Hills and Alex Brooker. Originally commissioned as a one-off series running alongside the London 2012 Paralympics, the show proved so popular that it evolved into an ongoing weekly satirical programme.

Widdicombe also co-hosts Parenting Hell, a hugely successful podcast about family life that he records with fellow comedian Rob Beckett. He has additionally hosted BBC Radio 5 Live's Fighting Talk and starred in his own BBC sitcom, Josh. He is no stranger to Strictly either, having previously competed in the 2024 Christmas special.

Johannes Radebe

A South African-born dancer and choreographer, Johannes Radebe has been a professional on Strictly Come Dancing for eight years, earning a devoted following for his charisma, artistry, and infectious personality. His transition from the dance floor to the presenter's podium represents a natural evolution for someone who has been at the heart of the show for nearly a decade.

What to Expect This Autumn

The returning judging panel — Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke — will all be back when the new series launches later this year. Fifteen of last season's twenty professional dancers will also return, with the BBC confirming they will be joined by fresh international talent from the world of competitive dance.