The BBC has officially confirmed Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe as the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, ending months of speculation around who would replace long-time presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

The broadcaster announced the new presenting trio on Tuesday alongside a first-look promotional image ahead of the show’s September 2026 return. It marks the first time in the history of Strictly that three permanent presenters will front the flagship entertainment series together.

The move follows Daly and Winkleman’s exit announcement in October 2025 after years as the faces of the ballroom competition. Tess Daly had presented the main show since its 2004 launch, initially alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, while Claudia Winkleman eventually became her permanent co-host after years on spin-off show It Takes Two.

According to the BBC’s official announcement, the new trio will share hosting duties in a different format from previous years, although exact responsibilities have not yet been confirmed.

Why the BBC chose Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe

Emma Willis arrives with extensive live television experience after fronting shows including Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother, The Voice UK and Netflix’s Love Is Blind UK. Speaking after the announcement, Willis admitted she had followed Strictly from home for years and described joining the programme as “something I can’t quite comprehend.”

Josh Widdicombe brings comedy and mainstream entertainment appeal. The comedian previously appeared in the 2024 Strictly Christmas Special, where he danced dressed as a penguin — something he jokingly called the “career high point” that eventually led him to the hosting role.

Johannes Radebe’s promotion may be the most emotional part of the announcement for long-time viewers. Since joining Strictly as a professional dancer in 2018, Radebe became one of the show’s most recognisable personalities, reaching the final with John Whaite in 2021 and building a strong fan following.

BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips said the chemistry between Willis, Widdicombe and Radebe became impossible to ignore during screen tests. Reports also confirmed several major names auditioned for the role, including Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark.

Strictly enters a completely new era in 2026

The decision has already sparked major online reaction, with searches linked to “Strictly hosts 2026” rapidly climbing on Google Trends. Fans remain divided over whether a three-host format will work on live television, especially after Daly and Winkleman became such an established partnership.

The BBC is also reshaping other parts of the show ahead of the new season. Earlier this month, the broadcaster confirmed that five professional dancers would leave the line-up while new international dance talent would join the series.

Swikblog recently explored the growing speculation around the Strictly transition and fan reaction to the BBC’s presenter shake-up here: Strictly Host Change? Why Tess Daly Exit Talk Is Trending.

Whether viewers embrace the new trio or not, the BBC has clearly chosen change over caution. With Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe now officially confirmed, Strictly Come Dancing 2026 already feels very different before the first dance has even begun.

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