Strictly 2026: Everything you need to know about this year’s hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe
The BBC dance competition is back this month for its 24th series, the first in its history without longtime host Tess Daly after her departure alongside co-host Claudia Winkleman last year.
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Before the show kicks off on Saturday, 19 September, here’s everything you need to know about the trio who will preside over the Stritcly ballroom this Autumn.
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The 50-year-old is a well-established presenter who became a household name hosting Channel 5’s Big Brother, as well as its spinoff Big Brother’s Bit on the Side.
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Born and raised in Birmingham, Willis tried her hand at modelling before getting her first big break presenting on MTV in 2002.
She later moved on to presenting for a range of ITV shows, including Loose Women, This Morning and ITV2 spin-off series I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! NOW! with her husband Matt, of Busted fame.
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Willis’ largest and potentially best known gig is her time spent in the Big Brother universe.
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First joining Big Mouth in 2005, she went on to present eight series of Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side, four series of the non-celebrity version, as well as landing the job of presenter for Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother between 2013 and 2018.
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Some of her other credentials on an already stacked CV include The Voice, The Circle and Girlfriends.
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She currently hosts Love Is Blind UK with her husband Matt, with whom she shares three children.
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Sharing the news back in May, Willis said that she's a "huge fan" of the show and "can't quite comprehend" becoming one of its hosts.
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“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.”
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“I can only hope that we are able to help steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter.
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I can't wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges.
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Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!”
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Josh Widdecombe
The 43-year-old comedian is potentially best known for co-presenting satirical chat show The Last Leg, as well as his podcast Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett.
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Born in Hammersmith, London, in 1983, Widdicombe grew up in a rural area of Dartmoor, Devon.
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Before beginning his career in stand-up comedy, following his time performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, he worked as a journalist for The Guardian.
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His first panel show appearance came in 2012 on Stand Up For The Week, before making his debut on Mock the Week later that same year.
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The following year he made his first appearance on The Last Leg, a show he still hosts to this day, with his total number of seasons being 30.
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In 2015, he won the first-ever series of the hit comedy game show Taskmaster and returned to win the first Champion of Champions special in 2017.
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As well as hosting popular podcast Parenting Hell with Beckett, in which he discusses his experience raising two children, he also hosts pop culture podcast Archive of Pop Culture.
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He also featured in the 2024 Strictly Christmas Special, which saw him dressed as a penguin, a moment he has described as a “career high point”.
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“I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television.
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I adore Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them.
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I’ll dust off the penguin costume.”
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The South African dancer has shown off his best moves on the BBC show for eight seasons, and now, it’s his time to switch his dancing shoes for a microphone.
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His interest in dance began at a young age, with the bright colourful costume piquing his interest.
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He later left home whilst a teenager to focus on his training.
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Radebe began his career as a dance teacher in Johannesburg, before spending seven years dancing on cruise ships.
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During his illustrious dancing career, the 39-year-old has won several major titles, including becoming a multiple-time South African Latin champion.
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He first joined the Strictly universe in 2014, in the South African edition, before going on to join the original iteration of the show in the UK.
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During his time on the show, he has danced with seven celebrities, his highest placement being 2nd with partner John Waite.
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His most recent was Alex Kingston in 2025, with whom he finished 6th.
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Radebe said that the new role “is beyond anything I ever imagined”.
“This show has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness, and I feel deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward.
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To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special.
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“I’m ready-sequins, nerves, and all...please bear with me.”
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