Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe have clarified their responsibilities as the incoming hosting team for Strictly Come Dancing, following the departure of longtime presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the conclusion of the 2025 series. The three new hosts stated in a podcast appearance that they will operate without assigned fixed positions, instead adopting a flexible approach to their duties across the program.
Willis emphasized that no single presenter is directly replacing another, describing the hosting arrangement as currently in an open-ended state. The team disputed reports that Radebe would assume a “roving reporter” role, with Willis explicitly denying the existence of a backstage reporter position. Widdicombe characterized their working method using a football analogy, noting that they would move freely throughout the broadcast rather than occupying predetermined positions.
Radebe, a former professional dancer on the series, indicated he would contribute to the show through informal interactions with contestants and behind-the-scenes observation, while acknowledging some difficulty in transitioning from competitor to impartial presenter. He expressed enthusiasm about his new position despite experiencing a sense of missing out on professional rehearsals. The producers’ decision to hire three hosts represented an unconventional choice that surprised all three appointees.
According to Willis, the selection process spanned approximately four months and included a chemistry assessment among the three candidates. The producers emphasized the experimental nature of the arrangement, indicating they had not prepared scripted content and would develop the hosting approach collaboratively during production. The new series features 15 competing celebrities and begins on September 19, with judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke returning for the season.
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