After much anticipation, the BBC has announced the new presenting team for Strictly Come Dancing. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and former professional dancer Johannes Radebe will take over from Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly when the new series begins in September. BBC bosses say their chemistry is undeniable.
The announcement marks a significant change for one of the BBC's most popular entertainment shows, which has been a staple of Saturday night television for over two decades. Emma Willis brings extensive live television experience from her work on Big Brother and The Voice, while Josh Widdicombe is one of the UK's most popular comedians.
Johannes Radebe, a South African dancer who has been a professional on the show since 2018, made history as part of the show's first all-male pairing. His inclusion as a presenter reflects the show's commitment to diversity and brings insider knowledge of the dancefloor to the presenting team.
The change in presenters comes after a turbulent period for the show, which faced allegations about the treatment of contestants by some professional dancers. The BBC has implemented new safeguarding measures and hopes the fresh presenting lineup will help the show move forward into a new era while maintaining its massive audience appeal.