Emma Willis is on the verge of signing a deal to present Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One, which would create an unprecedented situation where she appears on two rival Saturday night shows simultaneously this autumn. The 50-year-old presenter has completed auditions for the ballroom programme alongside seven other potential hosts, and insiders suggest the role is "hers to refuse." A final decision is expected by the end of the month.
Double Booking Dilemma
The potential conflict arises because ITV has already scheduled the 14th series of The Voice for this autumn, after resting it last year. Emma has hosted the singing competition since 2014, and the upcoming series was pre-recorded in 2024, meaning she cannot be replaced. Both shows typically air on Saturday evenings, with The Voice starting at 8pm and Strictly beginning between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, leading to an overlap of up to an hour.
A source explained: "The next series has been ready for ages, so there is time before any decision about series 15. Having the same presenter going up against herself is not ideal, but there's not much that can be done."
Loyalty Tested
Emma's loyalty to The Voice was reportedly tested when ITV paused the show last year to save costs. If she joins Strictly, her future on the singing series remains uncertain. A source said: "The BBC has gone all out to find popular hosts. For Emma, the job is hers to refuse."
Audition Process
Emma auditioned alongside seven other presenters to find the best chemistry, with her taking the main host role formerly held by Tess Daly. Likely contenders for Claudia Winkleman's post-performance interview role include Rylan Clark, Josh Widdicombe, and Alex Jones. Others like Zoe Ball and Alison Hammond have ruled themselves out.
Career Background
Emma first gained fame hosting Big Brother before joining The Voice in 2014 on BBC One, moving with it to ITV in 2017. She is also set to host Cooking with the Stars this summer on ITV. Emma has been a long-time fan of Strictly and once said she would sign up as a contestant "in a heartbeat" if she had time.
Ratings Comparison
The Voice peaked at 6 million viewers in 2018 but dropped below 3 million in its last series. In contrast, Strictly has maintained strong ratings, averaging 11 million in 2010 and around 7.5 million last year.
