Emma Willis has been announced as one of the new presenters of the BBC’s popular dance competition Strictly Come Dancing, joining former professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe. Willis, 50, secured the role after a series of secret auditions, beating several high-profile contenders, including Rylan Clark, Alex Jones, and Zoe Ball. The announcement marks a significant addition to the show, which has experienced various controversies and changes in recent years.
Willis received the news while at a hairdresser’s, describing the moment as surreal and initially cautious about sharing it publicly. She waited to tell her husband, Matt Willis, bassist of the band Busted and co-presenter alongside her on Netflix’s Love Is Blind, until he returned home. The couple later shared the news with their children and parents just before the official public announcement. Willis brings more than two decades of live television experience, having previously hosted prominent shows such as The Voice UK and Big Brother.
Strictly Come Dancing remains a flagship program for the BBC despite some challenges. Last year’s final drew 7.75 million viewers, one of the lower figures in the show’s history, though it remains the corporation’s second most-watched reality show after The Traitors. The program has faced scrutiny over allegations involving the behavior of professional dancers toward celebrity contestants, including claims of bullying and serious accusations against unnamed individuals linked to the show. The departure last year of long-standing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman fueled speculation that these staffing changes were partly to manage the show’s ongoing issues.
Willis, known for her calm and straightforward on-air style, has experience handling live television controversies, notably during her 17-series tenure as presenter of Big Brother, which included managing incidents such as the 2018 “punchgate” controversy and addressing homophobic remarks made by contestants. She acknowledges the challenges of stepping into Strictly’s spotlight and the anxieties that come with it, but embraces the pressure and excitement.
A longtime fan of Strictly, Willis often watched the show with her parents and children, even practicing dance moves at home. She had previously hoped to compete on the show but scheduling conflicts prevented her from doing so. Her new co-presenters, Radebe and Widdicombe, are also newcomers to this role, and the trio has quickly developed a camaraderie they share through mutual friends in the entertainment industry.
The 2026 series faces criticism over what many describe as a weaker celebrity contestant lineup than in previous years. The cast includes figures with varying degrees of public recognition, such as YouTube football personality John Nellis and dog trainer Graeme Hall, prompting questions about audience appeal. Willis defends the diversity of the cast, noting that the inclusion of personalities from different platforms is essential to attract viewers across multiple generations.
Beyond entertainment, Willis has demonstrated a commitment to more substantive work. She has presented four series of “Emma Willis: Delivering Babies,” for which she trained extensively to become a qualified maternal care assistant, gaining hands-on experience in hospital settings. She hopes to produce further series, describing the work as humbling and meaningful amid the often ephemeral nature of television fame.
Emma Willis’s appointment to Strictly Come Dancing brings fresh energy to the program amid its evolving landscape, underscoring the BBC’s trust in her versatility and professionalism to guide the show through its next chapter.