Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have polarised viewers in their first live Strictly Come Dancing show, but it's too soon to judge the new trio.
The BBC One dance contest returned for its 2026 series with a pre-recorded launch show before the first live show aired on Saturday, September 26. The 15 celebrities and their professional dance partners performed their debut routines in front of the judges, officially kicking off the competition.
New Hosting Trio Takes Over
Emma, Josh and Johannes were announced in May as the new hosts, replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left at the end of the 2025 series. The trio appeared in the famous ballroom for the first time during the pre-recorded launch show, before the live broadcast.
Viewers flooded social media with their opinions, with some suggesting that having three hosts 'doesn't work'. Only two hosts had previously presented the programme - Tess with Sir Bruce Forsyth, before Claudia joined her.
Experience and Teething Problems
Emma is a seasoned professional in live TV, having hosted shows like Big Brother and The Voice UK. Josh is a stand-up comedian known for Channel 4's The Last Leg, while Johannes has years of experience as a professional dancer on the show and has performed in his own shows and as Lola in the musical Kinky Boots.
There were slightly awkward moments during the show, and some viewers struggled to hear Johannes when he spoke before each couple's performance. But like any new role, there will be teething problems, and the trio are not expected to be perfect in their first few weeks.
Give Them Time
Just as celebrities aren't expected to perform perfect routines in week one, Emma, Josh and Johannes should be given time to settle into their new roles. While viewers may not be holding up their 10 paddles yet, the new hosts are giving their roles a good go, and in a few weeks, the current fuss may be forgotten.
