Strictly fans widely divided as Ellie Taylor makes It Takes Two debut
Some think she should host the main show!Ellie Taylor’s It Takes Two debut last night (Sept 28) drew mixed reactions from loyal fans of the show.
Many viewers praised the comedian on social media after the spin-off returned following Strictly Come Dancing’s first live programme. However, others weren’t feeling it.
Meanwhile, some wanted her beside Emma Willis, while others backed Ellie to host Saturday nights herself. The reaction followed her first episode as the programme’s new presenter.
Strictly fans back Ellie Taylor after debut
One post said: “Ellie on #ItTakesTwo is refreshing and a nice surprise. Can she please do a swap and come and do the Saturday night shows…she’s MILES better than Josh and JoJo!!”
Another viewer commented: “Ellie Taylor should be doing the main Saturday show.”
A third wrote it was “clear they should have just got Ellie Taylor presenting the main show with Emma”.
The enthusiasm also extended to Ellie’s handling of the wider spin-off role. She succeeded professional dancer Janette Manrara and former contestant Fleur East as host.
One fan highlighted that Ellie had stepped into a job previously shared by two presenters. That viewer also praised her for carrying the week-long programme alone.
Another welcomed a perceived return to the show’s roots, adding: “Ellie Taylor was magnificent!”
Ellie began by promising changes and delivering a comic recap of Saturday’s ballroom action.
She then met a panel featuring the previous series’ winner Karen Carney, Abi Clarke and Tyler West. Abi and Tyler are the hosts of Strictly: Lights Up.
Contestants Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton and Jaime Winstone also joined Ellie for interviews.
‘Trying too hard’
However, Ellie’s debut on the BBC companion show was also met with criticism.
“Ellie is trying much too hard #ItTakesTwo. It’s hard to believe what a balls-up the BBC have made of recasting,” one person insisted.
“Couldn’t stick her on Bake Off the Professionals… truly irritating,” another said.
“Why does every host of #ItTakesTwo have to act like an overexcited 8-year-old? Embarrassing TV,” a third wrote.
Ellie Taylor returns to Strictly Come Dancing
The presenting job brings Ellie back to Strictly Come Dancing four years after her own ballroom run.
She competed in the 2022 series alongside professional partner Johannes Radebe. Ellie and Johannes finished in ninth place.
Hamza Yassin eventually won that series with Jowita Przystał. Johannes is now among the presenters of the main Strictly programme.
Her appointment was unveiled during Emma Willis’ BBC Radio 2 programme the previous month. Speaking to Emma, Ellie said: “I’m absolutely over the moon.”
In a separate statement, she described returning to Strictly in this role as a joy. She also said she felt honoured to follow the programme’s previous presenters.
Ellie promised to immerse herself in ballroom gossip and sequins for fellow Strictly fans.
She finished with a joke about being excited enough to cha-cha, while assuring viewers she would not dance again.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI technology to synthesise source reporting and structured data. It has been reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by our human editorial team before publication.
