Strictly Come Dancing fans have heaped praise on new It Takes Two host Ellie Taylor, even as the revamped spin-off faces criticism over its changes. The comedian has taken over presenting duties from Fleur East and Janette Manrara on the BBC Two show, and viewers have singled her out as a highlight.
Fans Praise Ellie Taylor Amid Show Changes
Following the first two episodes of the new series, viewers took to social media to compliment the 42-year-old's performance. One person on X wrote: "Just catching up on It Takes Two. I'm not enjoying everything, but my God Ellie is smashing it soo far. Absolutely brilliant."
Another agreed: "Don't like the changes, but Ellie is fab. Should have got the main gig with Emma." A third added: "Ellie Taylor hosts it well, but the new version of It Takes Two has nothing worth watching anymore."
Viewers Criticise New Set and Format
While Ellie earned praise, the revamped format drew complaints. One viewer said: "Ellie Taylor is good, the new It Takes Two set is awful with the wooden unvarnished floor all that glitz and glamour gone, no pro interviews. I know they wanted to revamp both the Strictly main show and It Takes Two but the changes aren't good."
Another viewer questioned the need for change: "I adore Ellie Taylor but I'm not sure I like this new It Takes Two at all. Why are they making so many changes - why change the ITT set this year when it literally got changed last year?"
Ellie Taylor's New Role and Producer's Response
The BBC announced in August that Ellie would take over the presenting role, four years after her stint as a Strictly contestant. At the time, she said: "What a total joy to return to Strictly in this new role. I feel incredibly honoured to follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal line-up of hosts who've made Strictly - It Takes Two so loved over the years."
It Takes Two producer Rhe-An Archibald defended the changes, saying: "This is Strictly - It Takes Two, reinvented for the 2026 season. With a wealth of new features and deep dives, we want to reflect the conversations happening in living rooms up and down the country - full of opinions, laughs, surprises and those moments everyone wants to talk about."
Ellie, from Essex, rose to prominence as a comedian before presenting programmes including Snog Marry Avoid? and The Great Pottery Throw Down. She follows previous hosts Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark and Claudia. Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two airs Monday to Friday at 6:30pm on BBC Two and is also available on BBC iPlayer.
