Johannes Radebe and Emma Willis have opened up about what it is like working alongside Josh Widdicombe on Strictly Come Dancing, offering fans a glimpse behind the scenes of the BBC show.
The trio took over presenting duties for season 24, making their debut in last week's launch show. The episode drew mixed reactions from viewers, with some noting it felt different without Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left the programme last year. Others suggested Josh Widdicombe seemed out of place, as the comedian faced some backlash.
What Johannes and Emma said about Josh
Asked to name his favourite things about working with Emma and Josh, Johannes told the BBC: "They are both completely themselves, which I love. Emma is such a formidable broadcaster. She has this incredible ability to make everything look effortless, while being incredibly precise and prepared. And Joshy is just brilliantly funny; he has this wonderful ability to find the joke without forcing it."
He added: "For me, it's been about finding our rhythm as a trio. I'm learning so much from both of them, and I think we bring very different energies to the show. That's what makes it exciting."
Emma echoed the sentiment, saying: "They're both so down to earth, humble, funny, lovely guys who both love Strictly with a passion and are here to do a great job and have fun. I think that's all anyone would want – they're just fab, and we kind of gelled from the moment we met."
Josh reflects on his Strictly debut
Josh, who recently spoke of the "joy and exhaustion off the back of fear" he felt during the launch show, also reflected on the experience. "I had so much adrenaline on the night that I had to have two naps the day after!" he said.
"I don't think, at any point since getting the job, it had felt real until we heard the music start up and Alan Dedicoat say our names," he mused.
Revealing his favourite part of working with Emma and Johannes, the presenter said: "That we feel like a team where there's no ego. That there's no one wanting to put themselves out front more than the others. That we feel like we've all got our different personalities and they gel together. Emma and Johannes are just so generous, sweet and funny - they make working on Strictly feel even more exciting and joyous to me."
