There may be an awkward primetime TV clash this autumn as Emma Willis could end up going head to head with herself on rival networks.
The presenter, 50, is reportedly set to be announced as one of the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts, after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down last year.
Emma is said to not have yet signed a contract, but is expected to finalise her deal by the end of this month.
But BBC producers are reportedly facing a headache because Emma presents The Voice UK.
The 14th series is said to be returning to ITV this autumn, after it was delayed for a second time.
Emma and judges Will.i.am, Kelly Rowland, Danny Jones and Tom Jones filmed the first part of the series – the auditions – back in 2024.
There may be an awkward primetime TV clash this autumn as Emma Willis could end up going head to head with herself on rival networks
This would mean the presenter would be the face on both the BBC and ITV’s primetime Saturday night shows.
The Voice and Strictly both have the same Saturday night slot and have competed against each other in a ratings war over the years.
A source told The Mirror: ‘The next series has been ready for ages so there is some time before any decision needs to be made about series 15.
‘That is something to be sorted out further down the line. 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.
‘If she does join Strictly – and the signs suggest she will – we’ll have to see what happens. The BBC has gone all out to find new hosts who’ll prove popular. For Emma, the job is hers to refuse – everything else will follow from there.’
Daily Mail has contacted the BBC and Emma’s representatives for comment.
Emma is thought to have impressed during the Strictly chemistry tests, with the BBC seeing her as a ‘safe pair of hands’.
A source said: ‘Emma has been offered the Strictly job and is going to accept. She absolutely nailed the chemistry tests and the BBC adore her.
The presenter, 50, is reportedly set to be announced as one of the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts, after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down last year
ITV have reportedly pushed back the 14th series for the second time
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‘Emma is a household name and a safe pair of hands so the BBC know she will do the job justice. 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.’
Meanwhile, Strictly pro Johannes Radebe is reportedly set to join Emma and comedian Josh Widdecombe, 43, as part of the hosting line up for the new series.
The South African-born dancer and choreographer, 39, has been a professional on the show since 2018 but a new report now claims he could be presenting this year.
A source said: ‘Everyone involved in the auditions – including the celebs – are saying the job is going to JoJo.
‘During the chemistry tests he was paired up with every other celeb and did incredibly well.’
The insider added to The Sun: ‘They all think he would be the perfect partner for Emma. He has been announced as one of the returning professional dancers but that doesn’t mean bosses aren’t going to promote him.’
Last week, frontrunner Zoe Ball broke the news she had lost out on the job, admitting she is ‘working through the seven stages of grief and rejection’.
Such candour from celeb candidates is rare and proves the lustre of the role. But according to insiders, bosses are now pinning all their hopes on one woman.
A producer who worked on a reality show with Emma a few years ago has insisted: ‘If anyone can turn things around for Strictly, it’s her.
‘There’s something she has on screen, a mix of vulnerability and confidence, that everyone just falls in love with.’
