Who are the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts and what have Tess and Claudia said?
The BBC has officially announced Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe as the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing for 2026. The trio will take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who departed the show last year after decades of hosting the BBC's flagship Saturday night entertainment programme.
The announcement
The news was revealed in a dramatic Instagram video, in which Emma Willis called out to Josh Widdicombe: "What are you doing over there? We can't do it without you." The post quickly garnered excitement from fans and former contestants alike.
What the new hosts have said
Emma Willis said she is "over the moon" about landing the role, adding: "It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Strictly – I've cheered and danced along from my sofa for years."
Josh Widdicombe, who famously danced as a penguin in the 2024 Christmas special, joked: "Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point."
Johannes Radebe, a fan-favourite former professional dancer, becomes the first ex-pro to host the show. He said he felt "deeply honoured" to return in this new role after eight years on the programme.
Reactions from the Strictly family
Strictly judges and dancers have shown their support. Motsi Mabuse and Amy Dowden expressed their excitement, while former host Tess Daly called the new team "the ultimate trio." Claudia Winkleman added: "MAGNIFICENT. What a trio."
The new hosting team is set to bring a fresh energy to the ballroom when Strictly Come Dancing returns in 2026.
