The BBC has introduced Emma Willis as the new lead presenter of the popular Saturday night dance competition Strictly Come Dancing, following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The move comes after a challenging period for the show, which faced a series of controversies over the past three years, prompting the network to seek a fresh, dependable figure to lead the program.
Willis, 50, brings nearly 25 years of broadcasting experience to the role, having previously presented shows such as ITV’s The Voice and Channel 5’s Big Brother. Known for her approachable and relatable public persona, Willis is often portrayed as a family-oriented figure. She is married to musician Matt Willis, formerly of the band Busted, and the couple has three children together.
However, Willis’s public image as a “perfect mum and wife” contrasts with her early career. In the 2000s, under her maiden name Emma Griffiths, she was part of the London nightlife scene centered around Camden, where she worked as a presenter for MTV. At the time, she was associated with a more edgy, party-driven lifestyle, frequenting venues like the Hawley Arms and dating fellow media personality Alex Zane.
Sources familiar with her career highlight a significant shift beginning with Willis’s 2018 documentary on childbirth, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies. The series introduced her to a broader, middle-aged audience and showcased her personal experiences as a mother, helping to reshape her public image. The documentary was well received, expanding her fan base and positioning her as a relatable figure for many viewers.
Willis’s career trajectory includes hosting roles focused initially on younger audiences, such as the I’m A Celebrity spinoff show and Big Brother’s Big Mouth. In 2013, she took over as main presenter of Big Brother on Channel 5, later moving to the BBC to lead The Voice from 2014 until 2024. She also co-hosted the Brit Awards in 2017.
Her personal life has drawn public attention as well, particularly her support for her husband’s recovery from addiction. Matt Willis has openly discussed his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, including a 2023 BBC documentary that detailed his battle with cocaine dependency. The couple’s openness on these issues was further displayed in a Channel 4 documentary about the impact of smartphones on children, which they co-presented.
More recently, the couple has expanded their television presence by hosting Netflix’s Love Is Blind UK. Emma Willis also maintains several endorsement deals with major brands such as Vodafone, Oral-B, and Vinted.
Emma Willis made her live debut as a Strictly presenter last Saturday alongside Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe. While viewership for the prerecorded launch increased slightly compared to the previous year, the trio faced criticism from some quarters questioning the necessity of three hosts. Nonetheless, insiders describe Willis as an optimistic and resilient presenter, qualities the BBC hopes will sustain the show’s audience, which numbers around six million viewers.