Emma Willis is reportedly set to be announced as one of the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing in the coming days. Since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman revealed they would be stepping down from their hosting duties last year, numerous celebrities have been tipped for the role. Now, presenter Emma, aged 50, has emerged as the frontrunner to take over one of the positions, according to a new report.
Chemistry Tests and BBC Approval
She is thought to have impressed during the chemistry tests, with the channel viewing her as a 'safe pair of hands'. A source stated: 'Emma has been offered the Strictly job and is going to accept. She absolutely nailed the chemistry tests and the BBC adore her. Emma is a household name and a safe pair of hands, so the BBC know she will do the job justice. She is incredibly popular with the public too and will suit the role down to a tee. She was absolutely thrilled to have been offered the job.'
Zoe Ball as Co-Host
The insider added to The Sun: 'Strictly is one of the biggest shows on television, and to be trusted with the new era is something Emma feels incredibly proud and humbled by.' The newspaper also claims that Zoe Ball, 55, is expected to be the other half of the presenting duo.
A BBC spokesperson told The Daily Mail on Sunday evening: 'Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.'
Emma Willis's Presenting Career
Emma has held presenting roles on The Voice UK, Big Brother, The Circle, and Love Is Blind: UK, which she fronts alongside her husband Matt Willis. Other names that have been thrown into the mix over the past few months include Rylan Clark, Alison Hammond, and Alex Jones.
Secret Auditions and Shortlist
After weeks of speculation and multiple major names turning down the job, nine shortlisted stars were recently summoned to a top-secret location in London to battle it out in full-scale dress rehearsals with a judging panel and live band, in a bid to get the troubled show back on track. BBC bosses held secret auditions and chemistry tests with the celebrities, forcing them to sign strict NDAs to keep the tryouts under wraps. The chosen few who were called to the final test were watched closely, and bosses are hoping to make a decision soon. Among those confirmed to be in the callbacks were Rylan, Emma, Tom Allen, and One Show presenter Alex Jones.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Plans
The Beeb has recently given an insight into what fans can expect for the 24th series of the much-loved programme. The likes of Dianne Buswell, 37; Nancy Xu, 34; Vito Coppola, 33; Julian Caillon, 30; Carlos Gu, 33; Lauren Oakley, 35; Amy Dowden, 35; Katya Jones, 36; Neil Jones, 44; Nikita Kuzmin, 28; Jowita Przystał, 31; Johannes Radebe, 39; Aljaž Škorjanec, 36; Alexis Warr, 25; and Kai will be returning to the dance floor this year. They will be joined by some new professional dancers who are yet to be announced. Karen Hauer, 43; Gorka Marquez, 35; Nadiya Bychkova, 36; Michelle Tsiakkas, 30; and Luba Mushtuk, 36, were all given the boot.
Judges and Themes
The celebrities will be judged by Shirley Ballas, 65; Craig Revel Horwood, 61; Motsi Mabuse, 45; and Anton du Beke, 59. Some of the themes returning each week will include Movies, Icons, Halloween, and Musicals, as well as the yearly visit to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Unfortunately, viewers will also have to wait a little bit longer to find out which famous faces have decided to sign up to the show this year.
Claudia Winkleman's Departure
Claudia recently said Strictly Come Dancing's 'glitz and glamour had started to wear off' for her and co-host Tess. The BBC presenter, 54, quit the hit BBC competition last year after 13 years alongside co-host Tess, 57, who was host for 21 years. Claudia insisted that Strictly 'deserves change' and it was the 'right time' for the pair to step away. Asked by Closer magazine if the glitz and glamour had started to wear off for her and Tess, she replied: 'It is not that I was not excited at the end, but both of us were a bit like, "Oh yeah cool. All right, so then I do that..."' Claudia also recalled fearing her TV career was 'over' when she was offered The Traitors hosting gig. 'Traitors was not supposed to be what it was. I remember phoning my husband and saying, "I think it is over"', she admitted. 'They sent me the Dutch version to watch and I was told to take a risk', she said. 'I am incredibly lucky.'
The BBC dance competition recently underwent a major reshuffle following Tess and Claudia's quitting, with several familiar faces leaving the series in what fans have described as a 'bloodbath'.
