The BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing has replaced Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly with not two but three hosts.
Love is Blind UK presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe will take the reins of one of the UK’s biggest entertainment shows. Widdicombe will take over Winkleman’s role in the show’s former “Clauditorium,” while Radebe will act as a roving reporter, the BBC said.
Winkleman and Daly exited in 2025 from the hit show, which has had to grappl with several scandals over the past couple of years.
The past few months have seen many of the UK’s top talents considered for the hot presenter gig and in the end the BBC has opted for a diverse trio.
Willis is a presenter who has presided over the likes of Love is Blind UK and Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones. Radebe has been on Strictly as a professional dancer for years, first on the South African version and then the UK. In 2021, he was partnered with Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite, who became the show’s first male same-sex couple. Widdicombe is a comedian who presents a number of British TV and radio shows.
BBC chief content boss Kate Phillips said the trio’s “chemistry is undeniable.” “There’s been so much speculation and hype, so I’m relieved we can share the news with the public at last. I’d like to thank all the brilliant people we saw before making this tough decision. But the most beloved ballroom in the UK always leads the way, and in a Strictly first we have chosen three outstanding hosts to take up the mantle.”
The Strictly presenting host job is hugely coveted. Daly and Winkleman had been hosting Strictly since Bruce Forsyth stepped down in 2013, at which point Winkleman, who had already been helming the results show, took over. Winkleman has been busy since leaving. She hosts two versions of The Traitors per year and has been given her own chatshow by the BBC.
The news comes at a difficult time for the 20-year-old show. In 2024 it was was hit with scandal as two professional dancers exited following allegations of misconduct. The BBC attempted to move on last year but was hit with further scandal when it had to launch an investigation into allegations of drug use on the show.
Produced by BBC Studios, Strictly has aired on the BBC from September to Christmas since 2004. The U.S. version, Dancing with the Stars, has been on TV for 20 years and multiple other versions air around the world.
