New Strictly: It Takes Two host Ellie Taylor hits back at claims she's 'ruined every show she's been on'
Strictly returns very soon...Ellie Taylor has responded to criticism of her new Strictly: It Takes Two role with a quick joke.
After one social media user claimed she had “ruined every show she’s been on”, the comedian replied: “Haven’t done Sewing Bee yet but I’ll ask the hubs to put in a good word.”
The exchange came after Ellie’s appointment as the new host of Strictly: It Takes Two was confirmed. She is joining the BBC spin-off following the departures of Fleur East and Janette Manrara.
Ellie already knows the Strictly ballroom well. She competed in Strictly Come Dancing with professional dancer Johannes Radebe in 2022, finishing in seventh place.
Ellie Taylor shares excitement over Strictly: It Takes Two job
Discussing her return to the Strictly family, Ellie said: “What a total joy to return to Strictly in this new role. I feel incredibly honoured to follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal line-up of hosts who’ve made Strictly: It Takes Two so loved over the years.”
She added: “I can’t wait to immerse myself in all the gossip and sequins flying out of the ballroom in order to bring my fellow Strictly fans everything they need to know. I’m so excited, I could cha cha! (But I won’t – don’t worry… no one needs to see that again).”
Her appointment is one of several changes across Strictly Come Dancing and its companion programme ahead of their 2026 return. The shake-up has prompted a mixed response from viewers, although Ellie has also received public support from several familiar faces associated with the show.
Why did Ellie Taylor respond to the criticism?
The critical comments followed Ellie’s appearance on BBC Radio 2 with Emma Willis. One user questioned why the established It Takes Two format needed to be overhauled. The person wrote: “Yeah unsure of why they feel they need to completely overhaul the current format of the show. It’s a much loved and solid show with fans enjoying the dancers, presenters and format. All these changes may be one step to far.”
Another commenter claimed the BBC “haven’t got a clue” and described Ellie as a “non funny person who has ruined every show she’s been on”. The user referred to her appearances on pottery and baking programmes before asking whether she had also appeared on The Great British Sewing Bee, prompting Ellie’s joke about not having done the programme yet.
Fleur publicly backed her successor by saying Ellie would be amazing and congratulating her. Ellie responded that she would be “absolutely buzzing” if she could do the job half as well as Fleur.
Zoe Ball, who presented It Takes Two from 2011 until 2021, also congratulated Ellie and described the role as the “best job ever”. Shirley Ballas, Rylan Clark, Angela Scanlon, Clara Amfo and Dianne Buswell were among the other Strictly names offering their support.
When do Strictly Come Dancing and It Takes Two return?
Strictly Come Dancing and Strictly: It Takes Two are due to return in September. The programmes will be shown across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
They will bring viewers the ballroom competition alongside interviews, backstage reaction and analysis on the spin-off.
Strictly Come Dancing and It Takes Two return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September.
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.
