New Strictly Come Dancing Hosts Announced Ahead Of 2026 Series
New Strictly Come Dancing hosts announced ahead of 2026 series
has announced a new presenting line-up for Strictly Come Dancing, confirming that Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe will take over hosting duties from long serving presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The trio will front the show from its 2026 series, marking one of the biggest presenting shake-ups in the programme’s history since it first launched in 2004. The announcement follows the departure of Daly and Winkleman, who stepped down after years of co-hosting one of the most popular entertainment shows. Emma Willis, a veteran television presenter known for hosting major reality and live formats, will lead the new line-up alongside comedian Josh Widdicombe, who has previously appeared on the show’s Christmas specials.
They will be joined by Johannes Radebe, a long-standing Strictly professional dancer who now transitions into a presenting role, marking a rare move from the dance floor to the hosting team. The BBC described the trio as bringing “chemistry, energy and fresh perspective” to the programme as it enters a new era.
The new hosting arrangement represents a significant shift in format, with the show moving away from its long-established duo presentation style. It comes as Strictly Come Dancing continues to evolve following cast changes, production updates, and wider efforts to refresh the format for new audiences while retaining its long-running popularity. executives said the decision followed extensive testing and screen chemistry assessments, with the final line-up chosen to reflect a mix of entertainment experience, humour, and dance expertise. The announcement has already sparked widespread reaction from fans, with some welcoming the fresh direction while others expressed surprise at the departure from the familiar pairing of Daly and Winkleman. Industry observers say the move signals a broader effort by to modernise flagship entertainment formats while maintaining their core audience appeal. The new hosts will make their debut when the 2026 series begins in the autumn.
- Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe named new hosts
- Replace long-time presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
- First major hosting overhaul in years for the show
- Johannes Radebe moves from dancer to presenter role
- New trio to debut in 2026 series says change aims to refresh format and audience appeal
