Emma Willis is reportedly the new face of Strictly Come Dancing, according to an exclusive source. The 50-year-old former Big Brother and The Voice UK host is said to be "thrilled" after impressing BBC executives, but she also faces the daunting task of replacing beloved presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Emma Willis: The New Host of Strictly
After months of speculation, Emma Willis has reportedly landed the coveted hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing. A source told us, "Emma is over the moon she's landed the top job on Strictly, but she's got huge shoes to fill. She's determined to put her spin on the role, but it's a daunting prospect and she realises the enormity of it. Her life will totally change forever. But Emma is very likeable and she's got experience of doing live shows. She is beyond excited."
Chemistry Tests and Public Appeal
Since Tess and Claudia's shock departure, many celebrities were rumoured for the job, including Bradley Walsh, Alex Jones, and Rylan Clark. However, sources say Emma caught the execs' eyes. "She absolutely nailed the chemistry tests and the BBC adore her," a source told a newspaper. "She's incredibly popular with the public too and will suit the role down to a tee. She was absolutely thrilled to have been offered the job."
Potential Co-Host: Johannes Radebe
There had been whispers that Zoe Ball would work alongside Emma, but she has since denied being offered the job. It's now been said that professional dancer Johannes Radebe has been teed up as the perfect TV partner for Emma. "Everyone involved in the auditions, including the celebs, are saying the job is going to JoJo," a source told a newspaper.
Emma and Matt Willis: A Strong Partnership
Emma is used to sharing the spotlight. In recent years, she has co-hosted Netflix's Love Is Blind: UK with her husband of 17 years, Busted star Matt Willis, 43, as well as documentaries on addiction, smartphones, and therapy. While Emma has enjoyed having Matt by her side, our source says he fully supports her solo venture. "Matt is delighted about her new job and is going to be there to support her through it," the source explained. "The schedule of Strictly is full-on and runs over many months, which means there will naturally be more time apart for Matt and Emma, but they're strong enough to survive this."
Family Life and Challenges
The couple have three children: Isabelle, 16, Ace, 15, and Trixie, 10. They have previously undergone therapy to help with challenges from Matt's addictions, which Matt said "changed our relationship". In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, Emma said, "As we've got older and more mature and settled, we have realised that as long as we communicate, we can avoid sitting on resentments or creating the kind of environment that leads to getting divorced. I won't allow that to happen to us – and I won't let him do it either!"
No 'Strictly Curse' Here
Despite past accusations of a "curse" on some couples, our source says it will only bring Emma and Matt closer together. "You'll see Matt coming in on the show. Strictly wants to try and involve Matt, because they are a very likeable couple," the source said. "He's thrilled. It's a huge money earner – the biggest show in the UK – so it's celebrations all round."
