Strictly fans accuse bosses of making Emma Willis a 'sidekick' as they hit out at Josh Widdicombe's role
Fans weren't happyStrictly Come Dancing viewers fear Emma Willis is being sidelined after Josh Widdicombe took a larger on-floor role.
Metro reported that several fans felt their earlier plea for Josh and Johannes Radebe to swap positions had been ignored. In Movie Week, Josh and Emma remained together downstairs, while Johannes continued interviewing celebrities upstairs after their dances.
The concern follows divided reactions to the new Strictly hosting trio after their launch-show debut. Some viewers had wanted comedian Josh upstairs, with former professional Johannes joining Emma beside the dance floor.
Instead, fans felt Josh’s contribution expanded, particularly during exchanges with the judging panel. The trio replaced Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, making their role division one of the revamp’s biggest changes.
Johannes, previously a professional dancer, was assigned upstairs conversations with contestants after routines.
Emma Willis role sparks concern during Movie Week
Josh appeared to lead much of the judges’ conversation and supplied jokes between their comments. Emma was more visible during links between performances, although she occasionally joined those exchanges.
That balance left several X users questioning whether the downstairs pairing gives Emma enough space. One viewer offered a blunt assessment. “So this week, Josh Widdicombe is doing all the talking and Emma is left standing there like a tool.”
“Josh really needs to not be downstairs with Emma. I feel like she’s stood there most the time whilst Josh tries to get a joke in after every section,” another said.
“I actually don’t think Josh is bad but I kinda don’t love the way he leads the conversation and Emma is like the sidekick,” a third wrote.
Viewers renew calls for Josh Widdicombe role change
After the first live show, viewers suggested moving Josh upstairs and bringing Johannes downstairs. The latest episode strengthened those requests because the same downstairs arrangement remained in place.
Some fans have also argued that three presenters leave too little work to divide naturally.
Emma later shared a message after the hosting backlash, alongside a collection of behind-the-scenes pictures. Her caption read: “You will get judged either way, so may as well pick the fun option.”
Josh, meanwhile, reshared professional dancer Lauren Oakley’s statement supporting the presenters. Lauren backed the hosts and stressed Strictly’s supportive, family atmosphere for celebrities taking on unfamiliar challenges.
Read more: Strictly fans slam ‘inconsistent’ judges as they hit out at them for not dressing up
Strictly continues tonight (Sunday, October 4) from 7.10pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
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.
