Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe will take on flexible roles in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, as they prepare to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman later this month. The trio has confirmed that they will not have fixed positions on the show, allowing for a dynamic approach to hosting. This announcement follows the departure of Daly and Winkleman, who concluded their tenure at the end of the 2025 series, with Daly serving as the dancefloor host and Winkleman handling post-dance commentary in the “Clauditorium,” according to a report from BBC News.
Willis, speaking on The Rest is Entertainment podcast, emphasised that their roles are still being defined, stating that “no one’s replacing anybody” and that the current setup is quite open. The hosts also dismissed reports suggesting that Radebe would serve as a “roving reporter,” clarifying that there will be no such role on the show.
Widdicombe likened their hosting style to “Total Football,” where players can interchange roles, indicating that they will be moving around the studio freely. Radebe, who has a background as a professional dancer on the show, expressed excitement about his new responsibilities, mentioning that he would engage in “a little bit of prying and finding out the truth” from the contestants.
Despite his enthusiasm, Radebe admitted to feeling a “tinge” of FOMO (fear of missing out) when observing the professional dancers during rehearsals. The decision to bring the three together as hosts was described as a “wild card decision” by the producers, which took all of them by surprise.
Willis shared insights into the audition process, revealing that they underwent a “chemistry test” to assess their group dynamics. She recounted how they were informed that this was a unique opportunity, with producers stating, “It’s so much of a wild card, we don’t really have a script for you either.” This approach suggests a fresh and spontaneous format for the upcoming series.
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