Judy Finnigan has criticised the new three-presenter format on Strictly Come Dancing, arguing that the hosting is becoming the show's biggest problem.
Writing in her column, Finnigan said the dancing in the opening show was excellent, possibly the highest standard in any live opening show to date, but the presenting was lacking.
She described the new line-up of Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as a "throuple" that clanks and bashes up against each other, saying "two's company; three's a crowd."
Emma Willis undermined
Finnigan questioned why Emma Willis, the only experienced and technically competent presenter of the three, needs Josh Widdicombe standing beside her as she chats to the judges. She said his interventions are pointless and he talks over her, diminishing her role.
She also said Johannes Radebe, despite being a lovely man with a glowing personality and deep understanding of ballroom dancing, is struggling in the "Claudatorium" and is no presenter.
BBC should have chosen differently
Finnigan suggested the BBC should have given Emma Willis a similarly experienced co-host, such as Angela Scanlon or Rylan Clark, who both auditioned for the job but did not make the final cut.
She said Josh and Johannes have been "chucked in to the deepest of deep ends" and given an impossible task, but expressed hope things go better in the next show.
Other topics in the column
Finnigan also commented on a BBC news item reporting claims that the fashion for bare-looking fingernails is "classist" and rooted in "white supremacy". She quoted beauty journalist Kristina Rodulfo, who told the BBC that bare nails are often called elegant or tasteful, and these are "euphemisms that perpetuate white supremacist standards of beauty."
Finnigan dismissed this as "the same kind of piffle" heard at the King's coronation, when a commentator described the royals waving on the balcony as "very white", noting "it's a white family."
She also expressed distress over reports of explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, allegedly moved between care homes under a false name and cut off from family and friends. She said his care arrangements should be transparent and called for answers about his whereabouts.
