New Hosts of Strictly Come Dancing Revealed
The highly anticipated new hosts of the popular television show Strictly Come Dancing have been officially announced. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe will be taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down at the end of last year after a long tenure on the show.
This announcement was made through the official Instagram page of Strictly, where the trio appeared together in a video. The caption read: 'It's official… September 2026.' In the video, Emma and Johannes shared a friendly kiss on the cheek before Josh joined them, marking the beginning of their new journey as hosts.
Emma Willis Shares Her Excitement
Emma Willis expressed her excitement about joining the show, stating, "It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Strictly – I've cheered and danced along from my sofa for years – so to be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can't quite comprehend." She acknowledged the challenge of following in the footsteps of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, whom she described as "two wonderful, iconic women."
"I can only hope that we are able to help to steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter," she added. Emma also shared her anticipation for working with Josh and the dancers, saying, "Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!"
Josh Widdicombe's Reaction
Josh Widdicombe, who previously competed as a contestant in the 2024 Christmas special of Strictly, said he was "giddy with excitement" to have landed a presenting role. He recalled his experience as a penguin during the Christmas Special as a career highlight. "I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television," he said.
He also mentioned his admiration for Emma and Johannes, adding, "I'll dust off the penguin costume."
Johannes Radebe’s Perspective
Johannes Radebe, known for his flamboyant routines and outgoing personality, expressed that being chosen as a host was "beyond anything I ever imagined." He praised the show for its values of "joy, heart, and togetherness" and felt "deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward."
He also highlighted the significance of hosting alongside Emma and Josh, saying, "I'm ready – sequins, nerves, and all… please bear with me."
A New Era for Strictly
Emma was the first of the trio to be signed by BBC bosses after undergoing chemistry reads and screen tests. Josh emerged as the surprise favorite after impressing the team, while Johannes, a beloved professional dancer since 2018, will take on presenting duties for the first time.
Johannes, who recently partnered with Alex Kingston, will not have a celebrity partner this year but will participate in group dances and act as a roving reporter. His memoir, Jojo: Finally Home, became a bestseller in 2023.
Reactions from Previous Candidates
Several high-profile names were considered for the hosting roles, including Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, and Angela Scanlon. Zoe Ball, who had a long career with the BBC, expressed her disappointment but remained positive, saying, "I didn't get it, but it's okay. I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection."
She also praised the new hosts, saying, "If [it's] who I think has got it, we're in safe hands and our new hosts are going to be fabulous."
A New Chapter for the Show
Josh and Johannes mark the first male hosts of Strictly since Bruce Forsyth, a legacy that comes with significant expectations. Josh, known for his work on The Last Leg, is expected to bring a comedic energy to the show, while Emma will continue to lead the program.
Emma's career began with MTV in 2002, and she gained fame with roles on Big Brother and The Voice UK. She has also appeared on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and even hosted Love is Blind with her husband, Matt Willis.
Upcoming Dancers and Judges
For the 24th series of Strictly, returning professional dancers include Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, Vito Coppola, Julian Caillon, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, and Kai. New dancers will be announced soon.
The judges for the season will be Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton du Beke.
No comments:
Post a Comment