Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Rippon has admitted she is "unsettled" by the show's 2026 changes, which saw long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman replaced by Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe. Five professional dancers also left, including Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Michelle Tsiakkas.
The launch show on Saturday, September 20, received mixed reviews, and Rippon, who became the oldest contestant in the show's history when she competed in 2023 at age 79, has now weighed in on the revamp.
Rippon on new presenting line-up
Speaking on the At Home with Vanessa podcast, Rippon told Vanessa Feltz: "My own feeling is you have to give it a chance. My own feeling is I am unsettled by what they've done. Because, as a presenter, I feel that the role that Emma is taking on is a one person job."
She added: "As for JoJo (Johannes Radebe), I just adore him, he's another great mate. He's such a stunning dancer. He's going to be up taking over from Claudia. It is all smoke and mirrors even when it's all live."
Rippon, now 82, suggested Radebe should have remained in the group dances: "What I would have suggested was that JoJo should still be in the group dances because he is brilliant, as well as being in the Clauditorium stuff. Because you could have pulled that off, because we know they're pre-recorded."
Amanda Abbington complaint recalled
Rippon, who was the eighth contestant eliminated in her series, called Kai Widdrington a great partner and friend. She competed on the same series as Amanda Abbington, who accused her professional partner Giovanni Pernice of bullying and harassment.
Abbington left the series early and lodged a formal complaint with the BBC. Giovanni denied the claims, but following an investigation, the BBC upheld six out of 17 complaints against the dancer relating to verbal bullying and harassment. Allegations of physical aggression were not upheld. Giovanni later left the show.
Rippon said everyone on the show was "aware of the tension between the two of them". She continued: "But it's not my place to really talk about it in public. Amanda was very distressed by it and I think the whole crew were very distressed. That was a big one off."
She added: "There had been other occasions when some of the professional dancers did not treat their partners particularly well, but that's for them (the production company) to handle."
"I was so lucky in having Kai as a partner and friend and that's what 90% of people who take part get. It's a cauldron of tension, of passion, of all sorts of things," she said.
