Strictly Hosts Warn of Potential Show Disaster

's new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe joked the show 'could be an absolute disaster', after taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. 

The show teased a behind-the-scenes look of the trio getting ready for their official photoshoot on Instagram on Wednesday. 

On Tuesday, the broadcaster confirmed Emma, 50, comedian Josh, 43, and professional dancer , 39, are the brand-new hosts. 

In the video shared on Instagram stories, the trio admitted they were 'petrified'. 

Josh said: 'It doesn't feel real, right?'

Johannes was then asked how he felt about 'not being part of that dancing team'.

The professional dancer, who has been on the show since 2018, replied: 'I'm not hanging up my dancing shoes as yet. I cannot. I mean, what is my life without a cha cha cha?'

The next clip showed the trio chatting by the make-up chair about landing the presenting gig.

Josh said: 'Genuinely this is the most exciting thing in my life, that I've ever kept to myself.'

Emma said her 'tummy is flipping consistently' from nerves.

She said: 'I imagine it's how you feel when you know you've got to walk down the stairs, dancing the cha cha! Like everything goes to jelly. That's how I feel thinking about what we're about to do.

Johannes admitted while it is 'petrifying', it is exciting. 

Josh then joked as he sat in the make-up chair: 'I've just realised I've been booked for something with two of the most striking looking people on television, and I look like me. Absolute disaster.' 

Johannes, Emma and Josh will take over from outgoing hosts and after they stepped down at the end of last year, following a rigorous audition process.

The news was confirmed on Strictly's official Instagram page, with the trio coming together.

The caption read: 'It's official….September 2026.'

In the video, Emma and Johannes kissed each other on the cheek as they sat on stools, before Josh was invited over to join them.

'It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Strictly – I've cheered and danced along from my sofa for years – so to be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can't quite comprehend,' said Emma of her new role.

'It's impossible to fill the shoes that Tess and Claudia have left behind – two wonderful, iconic women who have been the beating heart of Strictly for so long.

'I can only hope that we are able to help to steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter.'

She added: 'I can't wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!'

Josh, who is a fan of the show and competed as a contestant on the 2024 Christmas special, said he was 'giddy with excitement' to have won a presenting slot.

'Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point, so I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television,' he said.

'I adore Emma and Jojo and can't wait to spend my weekends with them. I'll dust off the penguin costume.'

Johannes said that being given the opportunity to host was 'beyond anything I ever imagined'.

He said the long-running show 'has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness', and he feels 'deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward'.

He added: 'To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special.

'I'm ready-sequins, nerves, and all...please bear with me.'

Emma was the first of the trio to be signed by BBC bosses after a shortlist of presenters underwent chemistry reads and screen tests over the course of the last few weeks.

Last week, Josh emerged as the shock favourite to host the BBC dance show alongside Emma after impressing bosses.

Johannes, one of Strictly's most beloved professional dancers, who has been part of the show since 2018, will take on presenting duties for the first time.

Partnered with Alex Kingston last year, Johannes will not have a celebrity partner this year as he takes on the role of a roving reporter, although he will be participating in group dances.

The South African dancer quickly became a fan favourite due to his flamboyant routines and outgoing personality and is currently starring in Kinky Boots on the West End stage.

Certainly a breakout star of the show, he has appeared in an episode of Doctor Who and has competed on Celebrity MasterChef.

In 2023, he published his memoir Jojo: Finally Home, which became a bestseller.

A number of high-profile names were in the running to land one of the roles, including Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, and Angela Scanlon.

Zoe, who has been a stalwart of the BBC for over 30 years, recently told of her ‘grief’ at not landing the role having auditioned.

Thanks to her presenting stint on the show’s spin-off It Takes Two from 2011-2021, and her popularity with the general public, she was considered a top candidate.

'I didn't get it, but it's okay,’ she said on an episode of the Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley.

'I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days.’