Television’s most coveted presenting roles are now in the hands of a bold new trio. Emma Willis, 50, Josh Widdicombe, 43, and Johannes Radebe, 39, have officially been confirmed as the brand-new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, stepping into the massive shoes left by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after their departure last year.
The announcement came via the show’s official Instagram page, showing the trio together with Emma and Johannes sharing a cheek kiss before Josh joined them — a playful introduction to what promises to be an unforgettable era for the BBC dance floor.
Emma, a household name with a decade-spanning career from MTV to Big Brother and The Voice UK, described the role as a dream come true:
“I’ve cheered and danced from my sofa for years, so stepping into the Strictly ballroom is surreal. Tess and Claudia are iconic — we can only hope to steer the ship as beautifully as they have.”
Josh, who wowed audiences as a contestant in the 2024 Christmas special, admitted he was “giddy with excitement” and ready to dust off his penguin costume once more. Johannes, Strictly’s fan-favourite professional dancer since 2018, will take on presenting for the first time, balancing roving reporting with group dances, and bringing his signature flamboyance from the West End stage.
Behind the scenes, BBC bosses conducted a rigorous selection process, with chemistry reads and screen tests narrowing down a competitive shortlist that included Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, and Angela Scanlon. The decision marks the first time males will lead the show since Bruce Forsyth’s retirement in 2013.
Fans can expect the 24th series to dazzle, with returning professionals including Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, Vito Coppola, Julian Caillon, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, and Kai — alongside a selection of new professional dancers yet to be revealed. The judging panel remains Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton du Beke.
Emma, Josh, and Johannes are set to bring fresh energy, laughter, and drama to Strictly Come Dancing, promising fans a new chapter brimming with sparkle, heart, and, of course, unforgettable dance moments.
