Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe made their debut as the new Strictly Come Dancing presenters on Saturday night, immediately facing harsh scrutiny from some viewers.
Pressure of replacing long-standing hosts
The trio took over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who announced their departures from the show last October. Tess had presented Strictly since its launch in 2004, while Claudia had been part of the show since its early days before becoming a main presenter alongside Tess in 2014.
They left on their own terms, meaning Emma, Josh and Johannes were stepping into roles that fans strongly associated with Tess and Claudia. The comparison drew parallels to replacing a familiar face like Bradley Walsh on The Chase, where viewers become accustomed to certain presenters.
Mixed reactions from viewers
Emma received the most praise, likely due to her years of presenting experience. Josh, however, appeared to be "internally panicking" and was accused by some viewers of being "out of his depth", while others questioned the need for three presenters.
Fans warmed to Johannes, though some missed seeing him perform as a professional dancer. One viewer posted a photograph of Tess and Claudia on X with the caption: "Bring them back PLEASE."
Call for patience
Criticism came quickly, with some complaints appearing minutes after the show started. The new presenters need time to work out how to interact with each other and the celebrities, become comfortable in front of cameras, and let viewers get used to seeing them there.
As the series continues, the trio is expected to become more comfortable in their roles, with hopes that fans will warm to them.
