Ellie Taylor made her hosting debut on Strictly: It Takes Two on Monday, taking over from Janette Manrara and Fleur East as the new presenter of the Strictly Come Dancing spin-off.
Her first show followed the opening live episode of the series at the weekend. Taylor opened the programme by teasing "some changes" before delivering a round-up of the ballroom action. She then spoke with the Monday panel, which included last year's winner Karen Carney and Strictly: Lights Up hosts Abi Clarke and Tyler West.
Taylor also interviewed Delta Goodrem, Jaime Winstone, and Chris Appleton, though they were not joined by their professional partners.
Viewers react to the new host
Fans were quick to praise Taylor on social media. One person wrote on X: "5 minutes of watching It Takes Two and it's clear they should have just got Ellie Taylor presenting the main show with Emma."
Another added: "Ellie Taylor in two minutes has already proven better than Josh and JoJo combined." A third said: "Ellie Taylor should be doing the main Saturday show."
A fourth viewer echoed the sentiment, saying: "Maybe Ellie should host the main show. She has started Takes Two with a bang." Someone else shared: "Ellie Taylor is doing so well. She's come in and not only had to fill one pair of shoes but two! She's carrying a week long show on her own."
Complaints over format changes
Other viewers voiced complaints about the new set and interviewing format. "What the hell have they done to ITT?" one person asked.
Another added: "Oh dear, #Strictly #ittakestwo has moved to the box room. Turn the lights on, and get rid of the dated 'zoo' format."
A third said: "Really disappointed they're choosing to have the celebrities on #ItTakesTwo without their pros. It makes them feel insignificant." Someone else wrote: "So they're not doing interviews with the couples? Just the celebs alone? Hate that!! Part of the reason I watch #ItTakesTwo is to see how the chemistry between the couples is progressing and to see the couples interacting on the sofa. Honestly I might be out already."
A fifth viewer echoed the sentiment, saying: "Couple interviews [are] why most people watched It Takes Two, whose idea was it to scrap them?"
Taylor's appointment announced last month
Taylor was unveiled as the newest It Takes Two presenter during Emma Willis' live BBC Radio 2 programme last month. "I'm absolutely over the moon," Taylor told Willis live on air.
In a statement, she added: "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."
"I can't wait to immerse myself in all the gossip and sequins flying out of the ballroom in order to bring my fellow Strictly fans everything they need to know. I'm so excited, I could cha cha! (But I won't - don't worry... no one needs to see that again)."
Strictly Come Dancing and Strictly: It Takes Two are both available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
