BBC announces Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as the new Strictly presenters
Former host Tess Daly was quick to deliver her verdict on the casting!Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe have been announced the brand-new presenters of BBC ballroom series Strictly Come Dancing.
The BBC has today (May 19) confirmed the trio will be slipping into Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s shoes following their exit last year.
Bosses have spent a painstaking few months auditioning a shortlist of big names who all had the potential to step into the coveted role.
And they have now decided that the trio should be the new presenters of Strictly Come Dancing. They will make their debut in the Strictly ballroom this autumn when the 2026 series of the BBC show starts – and they cannot wait to get going.
Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe confirmed as Strictly Come Dancing’s new presenters
The BBC confirmed the exciting news about Tess and Claudia’s Strictly replacements in a video shared to Instagram today.
“It’s official…September 2026,” the clip was captioned. It saw Emma and Johannes taking their seats in front of a camera… operated by Josh!
“Come on, we can’t do this without you,” said Emma in the clip.
The song Three Is The Magic Number was playing over the top of the video.
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Tess Daly was among those sharing her congratulations. She said: “Can’t wait to tune in – the ultimate trio.”
In a statement, Emma said: “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.
“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. I can only hope that we are able to help to steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter.
“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 and JoJo break silence
Emma’s co-presenters also shared a statement.
JoJo said: “To be returning to Strictly Come Dancing in this new role is beyond anything I ever imagined. This show has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness. And I feel deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward. 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. Love Jojo.”
Josh added: “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. I adore Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them. I’ll dust off the penguin costume.”
BBC statement
Sarah James, Strictly Come Dancing Executive Producer, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to finally share this wonderful news. The combination of Emma, Josh, and Jojo was unexpected, but their magic was undeniable the moment they came together.
“Emma brings a wealth of presenting experience and a natural warmth. She truly belongs in the ballroom and will guide our new celebrity cast through their Strictly journeys with love and care.
“Josh had us all in stitches with his unique style of self-deprecating humour and razor-sharp wit – and let’s not forget, he got a 10 from Anton in the Christmas Special, so I think he already considers himself a pro dancer…
“And then there’s Jojo – a one-of-a-kind talent who’s been a beloved part of the Strictly family for eight years and will bring all his experience and knowledge to this new role – plus of course his legendary wardrobe!
“Most importantly, what truly shines through is the love and passion all three share for this show. That’s the key ingredient and we hope our audience will love them as much as we do.”
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The search for Tess and Claudia’s replacements
Tess and Claudia shocked fans last year when they announced they were leaving Strictly Come Dancing at the end of the 2025 series.
Tess had presented on the show since its launch in 2004, originally alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth. Claudia took over when Bruce retired 10 years later.
The pair announced the news of their exit in a joint statement on Instagram.
They said: “We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.”
Tess and Claudia bowed out in the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 live final, which aired on December 20. They appeared on screen again in the Christmas Day special five days later, but it was pre-recorded.
Since then, the BBC has been searching for Tess and Claudia’s replacements.
Other names reportedly on the shortlist included You’re Fired’s Tom Allen, former Strictly contestant Angela Scanlon and The One Show’s Alex Jones. 2025 contestant La Voix and TV host Rylan Clark were also said to have been looked at.
Alison Hammond, Graham Norton and Amanda Holden were said to have personally ruled themselves out of the job.
One name who Strictly Come Dancing fans were half expecting to be handed the job is Zoe Ball. But Zoe didn’t make the cut either.
Zoe Ball ‘thrilled’ for new hosts after Strictly knock back
Former Strictly: It Takes Two host Zoe spoke out and confirmed she had been turned down by the BBC to present the main show on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley.
Zoe told Jo: “I didn’t get it, but it’s okay. I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days.”
But even though she didn’t get the job, Zoe insists she is “thrilled” for Strictly Come Dancing’s new hosts.
In the episode, which dropped on May 12, Zoe said that viewers are in “safe hands”, revealing: “Our new hosts are going to be fabulous.”
Zoe added: “It’s going to be a highly scrutinised situation, and I think the new hosts will be so relieved when it’s out there and everyone can just talk about the show, and who’s going to be the celebrities this year, and then they can settle into that.”
The BBC has already confirmed that judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse will be returning to Strictly for the 2026 series.
Bosses have also confirmed this year’s returning professional dancers following the exit of several fan favourites, including Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez.
The BBC will be announcing several new professional dancers in the coming weeks. This year’s line-up of Strictly’s celebrity contestants will be revealed later this summer, much closer to the series launch.
And then, finally, it will be time to starrrrrt dancing!
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