It takes two to tango. But apparently it takes three to host a TV show about tangoing. After months of tabloid speculation, the BBC has revealed the new presenters of Strictly Come Dancing. And there’s not one, not two, but three of them. Let’s hope they don’t tread on each other’s toes.
Rumours have been swirling and now the worst-kept secret in showbiz has been confirmed. Broadcaster Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe have been announced as the all-new lineup. This autumn, they will replace the longstanding pairing of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who bowed out together at Christmas. As a new ballroom era begins, can this unlikely trio stabilise the listing Strictly ship? And is three really the magic number?
Let’s take them one at a time. Birmingham-born Willis will take over Daly’s role as the show’s main anchor, introducing the pro-celebrity couples, canvassing the opinions of the judges and generally keeping the show on the road. She has form in this area, having done similar roles on The Voice, The Circle and Big Brother. Naysayers may find the 50-year-old an uninspired appointment – she is fairly ubiquitous on reality TV, after all – but I have high hopes. For a start, Willis is a Strictly superfan who knows her charleston from her cha-cha-cha. She’s natural, slyly funny and steely when she needs to be. She’ll put nervous celebrities at ease and become their cheerleader, rather like Daly did. Sure, Willis isn’t a curveball – but she’s a safe pair of hands. That might be what Strictly needs.
Widdicombe is more of an unknown quantity and potentially has the trickier job. He’ll fill Winkleman’s shoes on the ballroom balcony – the area formerly known as the “Clauditorium” – where he will interview the couples post-routine. Winkleman’s infectious sense of silliness made her Strictly’s breakout star and propelled her to become Britain’s biggest TV presenter. No pressure, Josh. The 43-year-old’s rapid-fire humour has been honed from standup sets and a 14-year stint on Channel 4’s The Last Leg. Sure, he might lack glamour and razzmatazz compared with Claud, but most mere mortals would. The challenge is to keep any mickey-taking affectionate (Claud poked fun fondly) and family friendly (The Last Leg airs at 10pm, but Strictly is a teatime show). Widdicombe even has prior Strictly pedigree – not just as a namesake of Ann but having appeared on the 2024 Christmas special, albeit in a penguin costume more suited to a toddler’s party.
Finally comes the most maverick hire: popular Strictly pro Radebe, who will act as a roving reporter behind the scenes. The South African sweetheart is a true one-off, who will add a welcome dose of dance expertise, as well as flamboyance. Jojo had become known for his fab-u-lous wardrobe. But this backstage brief is a brand new role for the show. The combination of insider insights and Radebe’s all-round loveliness means this move is a potential stroke of genius. He could prove a hit with younger viewers, providing spontaneous, social media-style content. There are theories that Jojo was outgrowing the show – he recently starred in West End musical Kinky Boots – and such a sideways move is a way of keeping him in the fold.
It remains to be seen how a team of three will work. Most mainstream franchises are steered by double acts – not just Tess and Claud, but Ant and Dec, Mel and Sue, Anna and Grace. The danger is that overstaffing may make an ensemble show feel overcrowded. They could end up jostling for attention and cause the running time to bloat. Is it a sign that they found replacing Tess and Claudia’s roles difficult and had to split their jobs three ways? Or that the format is being freshened up?
After an extensive audition process, perhaps we should trust that the producers know what they’re doing. Word is that the trio have great chemistry. Widdicombe has demonstrated on The Last Leg that he can form an effective part of a threesome. They’re all part of the BBC family already, with Willis and Widdicombe presenting shows on Radio 2 – the wireless equivalent of Strictly. There’s something for everyone here. The Strictly audience is a broad church. Most viewers should find somebody to their tastes among this diverse trio.
This is a year of flux for the venerable hoofing franchise. Five pro dancers have departed. The show is still wobbling from a string of scandals. Now it has three fresh faces at the helm. Whether they’re a twinkle-toed triumph or a dance dis-a-ster, it will be fascinating to watch. And hey, at least they didn’t give Paddy McGuinness or Jimmy Carr the job.
