Strictly Come Dancing’s new presenting trio have admitted they were surprised to be chosen to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, with Emma Willis describing the BBC’s decision to put her alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe as “bonkers”.
Willis, 50, said the three presenters had been uncertain why they were being considered before producers decided to test how they worked together.
“I think all three of us were in such disbelief when they put us together,” she said. “Not in being with each other, but I think slightly in disbelief that we were even up for the show.”
The former Big Brother and Cooking With The Stars presenter said the trio had initially treated the meeting as an enjoyable experiment rather than a serious audition.
“I sat there going, ‘What’s going on? This is bonkers. But let’s just have fun and see what happens,’” she said. “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 Strictly as a professional dancer in 2018 after appearing for two series on the South African version of the programme. He had previously imagined remaining with the show as a judge, rather than moving into 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.”
He said taking on the new role had shown him that presenting was “a different ball game”, adding: “I found my way of sticking around!”
Radebe also sought to reassure viewers concerned that his new role could mean the end of his career on the dancefloor. He promised that he would continue dancing when the new series begins next Saturday.
“So for my own mental health, wellbeing, I need to be shaking my tush,” he said. “You’ll see. There are surprises this season.”
He added that the launch show would feature “more dancing than you’ve ever seen on Strictly Come Dancing”.
Widdicombe, 43, said the presenters were feeling the pressure ahead of their debut, but regarded their nerves as a positive sign.
“If you weren’t feeling pressure, you’d need to go, ‘What’s wrong with you?’” he said. “But pressure’s good because you want to feel nervous, you want to feel adrenaline.”
Willis said the trio understood the responsibility that came with taking over a much-loved programme. Daly, 57, and Winkleman, 54, had presented the ballroom show together for 11 years before their departure late last year.
“It shows you care,” Willis said. “We’re very aware that this show is hugely loved… There’s a massive sense of [duty].”
She added that Daly and Winkleman had sent their congratulations and urged the new presenters to enjoy the experience.
Willis already knew Radebe after being approached as a potential contestant on Strictly in 2022. She took part in dance tests with him after agreeing to appear alongside her husband, Busted star Matt Willis, although those plans were abandoned when he was offered a leading role in the West End play 2:22.
