Strictly Come Dancing has officially announced its new hosts, and it is not one or two but three new faces taking over the iconic dance show. After Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down last October, speculation has been rife about their replacements. Now, the BBC has confirmed that Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and former professional dancer Johannes Radebe will helm the show.
Reactions to the Announcement
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among fans. Some have expressed disappointment, with one viewer calling the choices "awful" and "not suited at all." Another critic argued that Widdicombe, a comedian with no presenting or dancing background, is an odd pick, while Radebe would be "wasted as a presenter" given his dancing abilities.
However, others have welcomed the change. One fan said they were "looking forward to this new trio," while another urged viewers to give the new hosts a chance, noting that "Emma and Josh are both fantastic presenters and nice people." They reminded fans that the selection process involved months of screen tests and chemistry tests.
Previous Frontrunners
Before the final decision, names like Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark were among the favourites, given their experience hosting the spin-off show It Takes Two. Zoe Ball revealed on her podcast that she was rejected after being "in the mix" of presenters who tried out. She said, "I didn't get it, but it's okay. I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection. I was so chuffed to even be in the mix."
Rylan Clark also addressed the rejection on Instagram, congratulating the new hosts and saying, "This wasn't my time sadly, but am extremely grateful to even have been considered."
What to Expect
Strictly Come Dancing will return in the autumn with judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke, and Motsi Mabuse. Several professional dancers are returning, though five stars—Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, and Gorka Marquez—have departed, making room for new faces.
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