Strictly Come Dancing bosses are standing by their new presenting trio of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe despite viewer backlash and a sharp fall in ratings, insiders have revealed.
Ratings plunge and viewer criticism
The three hosts made their debut during last weekend's live shows. Viewers criticised Widdicombe's presenting skills, with some describing the comedian as a “spare part” and blaming him for autocue issues and awkward pauses. Others took issue with South African former professional Radebe for talking over the clapping as performers ran up the stairs and for repeating the same phrases.
Strictly suffered a major dip in viewing figures during the first live results show on Sunday, drawing just 4.5 million viewers compared with 6.2 million last year.
Bosses remain firm
Amid the backlash, some viewers have called for seasoned presenter Willis to “take over more” as host, or for her husband Matt Willis to replace Widdicombe beside her on the dancefloor. However, as the show enters its third week on air, insiders said bosses are staying firm with the new hosts and will give viewers time to adjust.
“The public needs a bit of time to get used to them and they need a bit of space to bed in. This will happen in the coming weeks,” a source told The Mirror. “Already there was a much more positive reaction this weekend than after the first live show. We’re British and we’re not very good at change - but this formula is here to stay so everyone needs to get used to it.”
Format stays the same
In August, Willis had suggested the hosts might have the “freedom” to present from different spots around the studio. “We’re working around what feels good and how it's going to work - we’re kind of having a nice play,” she explained during rehearsals.
However, sources now say the format will remain the same - with Willis and Widdicombe on the ballroom floor, essentially taking over from Tess Daly, and Radebe serving as the new Claudia Winkleman in the upstairs area. “The fact that there were no changes made between week one and week two is very telling - you can read plenty into that. The producers and the presenters had fun playing around in the run-up, but now these roles are sticking,” the insider said.
The Standard has contacted Strictly for comment.
Former pro weighs in
The new hosts have faced backlash from viewers and former Strictly pros alike, with Ola Jordan recently sharing her trepidation over “really nervous” Widdicombe. “It's just so fresh at the moment. I think Emma is amazing and I would like her to talk more. I would like her to take over more. The other two, obviously, I think they're still finding their feet,” she told Mecca Bingo.
“It was a bit messy at times, with the links with Johannes Radebe for example. I think they just need to clean it all up and make it a bit cleaner for next time.”
Discussing the backlash surrounding Widdicombe, she added: “I think maybe Josh Widdicombe is really nervous still, so I think we're not getting that comedy as we would like to. I think he needs to maybe warm up a bit more and maybe he's just really nervous.”
Amid the backlash, Willis appeared to hit out at “judgy” people with a pointed social media post. The Voice presenter shared a snap of a pink canvas with blue writing that read: “You will get judged either way so may as well pick the fun option.”
