Emma Willis may find herself competing against herself on Saturday nights this autumn if she accepts the role of presenter on Strictly Come Dancing. The 50-year-old TV host has completed try-outs for the BBC ballroom show alongside seven other potential hosts, and the job is reportedly "hers to refuse". A deal is expected to be finalised by the end of the month.
However, the situation poses a scheduling conflict for ITV, where Willis has hosted The Voice for over a decade. The 14th series of the singing competition, pre-recorded in 2024, is guaranteed an autumn slot on ITV, overlapping with Strictly for up to an hour each weekend. This would mean the same presenter appearing on two rival primetime shows simultaneously.
An insider commented: "Having the same presenter going up against herself on Saturday night primetime in the autumn is not ideal. But if that is what happens there’s not much can be done about it." The Voice was rested last year as part of ITV's cost-cutting measures, which may have tested Willis's loyalty to the show.
Willis auditioned alongside seven other presenters to find the best duo, with her taking the main host role previously held by Tess Daly. Likely contenders for the post-performance interview slot, formerly Claudia Winkleman's, include Rylan Clark, Josh Widdicombe, and Alex Jones. Zoe Ball and Alison Hammond have ruled themselves out.
The BBC has gone to great lengths to ensure the new hosts are popular, and Willis's deal is expected to be signed by the end of the month. Her future on The Voice beyond series 14 remains uncertain, with decisions about series 15 to be made later.
