New Hosts for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Fans of the popular television show Strictly Come Dancing have been eagerly awaiting news about the new hosts for the upcoming season. Recent reports suggest that comedian Josh Widdicombe and Emma Willis are set to take on the roles, with Johannes Radebe also expected to join the lineup.
Josh Widdicombe, known for his witty humor and stand-up comedy, made a light-hearted comment during a recent performance at London’s Hackney Empire. He joked about being the “st middle-aged bloke” on Strictly, referencing his appearance on the 2024 Christmas special where he danced as a penguin alongside Karen Hauer. His remarks were taken as a playful nod to his experience on the show, which he described as the “worst day of my career.”
The Daily Mail reported that Josh has been named as the new host, joining Emma Willis who was recently revealed as the new co-host. This development comes after a competitive audition process, with Josh impressing BBC bosses with his dead-pan, witty banter. A source told The Sun: “Josh blew the producers away with his dead-pan, witty banter. He is family friendly, having helmed several shows now, and loves Strictly.”
Emma Willis, already a familiar face on British television, has been praised for her chemistry tests and overall performance during the auditions. A source said: “Emma has been offered the Strictly job and is going to accept. She absolutely nailed the chemistry tests and the BBC adore her.” Her experience in presenting, including her work on The Voice UK and Big Brother, has made her a strong contender for the role.
Johannes Radebe, a professional dancer on the show since 2018, is also expected to be part of the hosting team. A source claimed: “Everyone involved in the auditions – including the celebs – are saying the job is going to JoJo. During the chemistry tests he was paired up with every other celeb and did incredibly well.”
The Future of Strictly Come Dancing
With the new hosting team in place, the BBC is hoping to bring a fresh energy to the show. A producer who worked with Emma on a previous reality show stated: “If anyone can turn things around for Strictly, it’s her. There’s something she has on screen, a mix of vulnerability and confidence, that everyone just falls in love with.”
The show will also see a return of several professional dancers, including Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, Vito Coppola, and others. However, some dancers, such as Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, and Nadiya Bychkova, will not be returning this year.
The celebrities will be judged by a panel consisting of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton du Beke. These judges are known for their critical feedback and have played a significant role in shaping the show over the years.
Behind the Scenes
The selection process for the new hosts involved secret auditions and chemistry tests with celebrities. The stars were required to sign strict NDAs to keep the tryouts confidential. A source explained: “It’s not just about reading autocue. They’ll be looking at how people work together and humour is a massive part of it. There’s everything to play for.”
Among those who made it to the final test were Rylan, Emma, Tom Allen, and Alex Jones. A source added: “They really want to bring the fun this year. It’s all about chemistry, who clicks instantly and can keep the energy up live on air.”
The BBC has hinted at what fans can expect from the 24th series of Strictly Come Dancing. With a mix of returning professionals and new faces, the show is poised to continue its legacy of entertainment and competition.
