‘We have been simply as shocked because the followers!’: New Strictly Come Dancing hosts reveal shock after bagging primetime gig
When the BBC announced the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing after months of fevered anticipation, viewers were left baffled.
Every veteran presenter and exciting newcomer seemed to have been in the running to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after they hung up their heels – but the BBC opted for The Voice host Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
Now the trio have revealed that they were just as shocked as fans were, confessing even they struggled to see the logic.
Willis, 50, told The Mail on Sunday of the moment the BBC bosses decided to test their alchemy.
She said: ‘I think all three of us were in such disbelief when they put us together. Not in being with each other, but I think slightly in disbelief that we were even up for the show. And then the fact that they threw in a curveball and went, “We’re just going to throw caution to the wind and see what you three are like together.” ’
Mother-of-three Willis, whose CV includes hosting Big Brother and Cooking With The Stars, said: ‘I sat there going, “What’s going on? This is bonkers. But let’s just have fun and see what happens.”
The new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, (from right to left) Johannes Radebe, Josh Widdicombe and Emma Willis, have revealed their surprise at bagging the primetime gig
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman presented the hit British ballroom dancing show for 11 years until their departure late last year
‘And it probably won’t come to anything, but we had a great time doing dress-up and playing make-believe that we’re the hosts of Strictly. And now we are!’
Radebe, 39, joined the show as a professional dancer in 2018 after two series on the South African version. He hoped perhaps to land a role on the judging panel one day, but had never considered presenting.
‘This was never on the cards,’ he said. ‘I’ve always thought to myself, if there was a way to still stick around with the show, it would be as a judge. I think that’s all I saw for myself, and when this came along, I was like, “They’re asking me to speak to the magic of the show”. What could be so difficult about it?
‘But now that I’m in it, I’ve realised “Oh, this is a different ball game”. I found my way of sticking around!’
Strictly viewers have been concerned Radebe will now hang up his dancing shoes for good – but he promises surprises when this year’s show starts next Saturday.
‘That’s what lots of fans want to know: if I stop dancing,’ he said. ‘Can you imagine? So for my own mental health, wellbeing, I need to be shaking my tush.
‘You’ll see. There are surprises this season. When it comes to the launch show, there’s going to be more dancing than you’ve ever seen on Strictly Come Dancing, so that is nice, and I’m looking forward to the surprises.
The new presenting trio have enjoyed dinner together to get to know each other, but they are feeling tense.
Widdicombe, 43, said: ‘If you weren’t feeling pressure, you’d need to go, “What’s wrong with you?” But pressure’s good because you want to feel nervous, you want to feel adrenaline.’
Willis added: ‘It shows you care. We’re very aware, Jojo [Johannes] especially because he’s been there for so long, but we are very aware that this show is hugely loved…There’s a massive sense of [duty].’
She added that Tess, 57, and Claudia, 54, had been in touch ‘sending love and congratulations and just saying “Just enjoy it. It’s so fun.” ’
The Radio 2 host, who landed her first presenting job with MTV in 2002, already knew Radebe, as she was scouted to be a contestant on Strictly in 2022.
She took part in dance tests with him, after agreeing to join the show alongside her husband Matt Willis, the Busted star. But the plans were scrapped when Willis was instead offered a leading role in West End play 2:22.
BBC producers had previously approached the boyband star to appear alone but he was banned by his ‘jealous’ wife, as she feared their marriage would be affected by the infamous ‘Strictly curse’.
Speaking in 2016, Willis said: ‘I don’t want him grinding against hot women. I do get jealous, but I think that’s normal.’
This year’s line-up has been lambasted as the ‘worst ever’ by fans, as reality stars and influencers dominate. They include celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton, Love Island star Cach Mercer and YouTuber John Nellis.
