Strictly’s head judge Shirley Ballas has given her verdict on the new hosts.
Emma Willis, 50, Josh Widdicombe, 43, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe, 39, will take over from outgoing hosts Tess Daly, 57, and Claudia Winkleman, 54, following a rigorous audition process.
Shirley revealed Emma and surprise signing Josh landed the roles because ‘their chemistry was off the charts’.
She said in a new interview: ‘I think it’s absolutely brilliant what the BBC have done. Of course, I’ve worked with Emma and she’s an absolute star, she’s very calm, so beautiful, she keeps everything together. And there’s only one Johannes in the whole world. I mean, who wouldn’t want him somewhere in that trio?’
Shirley said she ‘wasn’t too familiar’ with Josh and had only spoken to him properly on Good Morning Britain this week.
No stranger to the show, Josh appeared on the 2024 Christmas Special dressed as a penguin, where he danced alongside professional Karen Hauer, who won’t be returning for the upcoming series.
Strictly’s head judge Shirley Ballas has given her verdict on the new hosts. Emma Willis, 50, Josh Widdicombe, 43, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe, 39, will take over
Josh marks the first male to front the programme since Bruce Forsyth, which could prove some big shoes to fill.
Shirley said to The Mirror: ‘I think it’s going to be fresh and interesting. Apparently the chemistry between Josh and Emma was off the charts. So I believe that was the case.
‘They had chemistry beyond chemistry, so I do trust the process and the producers. They took their time, they didn’t rush this decision. I know people are judging before they’ve even seen the results, but for me, this is a dream team.’
The news was confirmed on Strictly’s official Instagram page on Tuesday, with the trio coming together for a photoshoot.
The caption read: ‘It’s official….September 2026.’
In the video, Emma and Johannes kissed each other on the cheek as they sat on stools, before Josh was invited over to join them.
‘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,’ Emma said of her new role.
‘It’s impossible to fill the shoes that Tess and Claudia have left behind – two wonderful, iconic women who have been the beating heart of Strictly for so long.
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‘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: ‘I can’t wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!’
Josh, who is a fan of the show, said he was ‘giddy with excitement’ to have won a presenting slot.
‘Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point, so 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.
‘I adore Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them. I’ll dust off the penguin costume.’
Johannes said that being given the opportunity to host was ‘beyond anything I ever imagined’.
He said the long-running show ‘has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness’, and he feels ‘deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward’.
He added: ‘To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special.
‘I’m ready-sequins, nerves, and all…please bear with me.’
Emma was the first of the trio to be signed by BBC bosses after a shortlist of presenters underwent chemistry reads and screen tests over the course of the last few weeks.
Last week, Josh emerged as the shock favourite to host the BBC dance show alongside Emma after impressing bosses.
Johannes, one of Strictly’s most beloved professional dancers, who has been part of the show since 2018, will take on presenting duties for the first time.
Partnered with Alex Kingston last year, Johannes will not have a celebrity partner this year as he takes on the role of a roving reporter, although he will be participating in group dances.
The South African dancer quickly became a fan favourite due to his flamboyant routines and outgoing personality and is currently starring in Kinky Boots on the West End stage.
Certainly a breakout star of the show, he has appeared in an episode of Doctor Who and has competed on Celebrity MasterChef.
In 2023, he published his memoir Jojo: Finally Home, which became a bestseller.
A number of high-profile names were in the running to land one of the roles, including Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, and Angela Scanlon.
Zoe, who has been a stalwart of the BBC for over 30 years, recently told of her ‘grief’ at not landing the role having auditioned.
Thanks to her presenting stint on the show’s spin-off It Takes Two from 2011-2021, and her popularity with the general public, she was considered a top candidate.
‘I didn’t get it, but it’s okay,’ she said on an episode of the Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley.
‘I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days.’
