New It Takes Two host Ellie Taylor has spoken out in support of the new Strictly Come Dancing presenting team, telling critics to "chill out" as the trio face backlash online.
Taylor, 42, took over the spin-off show from Fleur East and Janette Manrara, while Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe replaced Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on the main programme. The changes have sparked a heated debate, with comedian Josh, 43, receiving the most criticism, while Emma, 50, has been widely praised for settling in naturally.
Taylor backs new presenters
Addressing the backlash, Taylor voiced her full support for the trio. "I think they're great," she told The i Paper. "There's such great energy in that room; they're all so pumped to be there."
She added: "They'll settle into the roles even better than they already have. Will everyone just chill out?" Taylor argued the main part of Strictly is the dancing, saying: "Let's remember that all the fundamentals are there."
Audition to blessing in disguise
Taylor revealed she had auditioned for the main presenting job and was "absolutely thrilled just to get in the room." She said: "I didn't expect to get it, and I'm really chuffed with how I did it."
Although she did not land the role, her audition led to the It Takes Two position, which she described as a blessing in disguise. "There's so much truth in 'what's for you won't pass you'," she said. "If I had got a yes for some things in my career that I got a no for, I wouldn't have been able to do It Takes Two."
Taylor added: "This career is so loud and it's so visible, it can be hard when you see other people get the golden goose you wanted. I definitely have struggled with that at points, but that's gotten better as I have gotten older."
