Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe make their debut as the celebrity pairings are revealed
Sept. 20, 2026. Strictly Come Dancing opened its 24th series on Saturday with a new presenting line-up and solid viewing figures. The launch show drew an average of 5.3 million viewers and a 49.2% share of the overnight ratings, up 7% on last year. At its peak, Saturday’s episode had 200,000 more viewers than last year’s launch. The BBC noted that the overnight numbers don’t capture people who watch later on iPlayer, where the show remained high on the most-popular chart on Sunday.
A new hosting era
Broadcaster Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe and former Strictly professional Johannes Radebe have taken over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left last year. Willis called the job a genuine honour, Radebe teased Widdicombe about his dance moves, and Widdicombe said he was delighted, if a little overwhelmed.
Some critics questioned whether three presenters is one too many compared with the long-running pair.
Pairings revealed in a first for the show
For the first time, the celebrity and professional pairings were revealed through three dance routines. Contestants swapped partners like musical chairs until the music stopped and a couple was announced.
Among the couples are actress Lacey Turner with Vito Coppola, Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey with Julian Caillon, and former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips with Alexis Warr. Also in the line-up are Delta Goodrem with Kai Widdrington and Melanie Walters with Aljaž Škorjanec.
Dani Dyer, who withdrew from last year’s series with a fractured ankle, was paired with Nikita Kuzmin, and both were emotional at the news. Actress Bethany Antonia and professional Nancy Xu became the third same-sex female couple in the show’s history. Antonia said watching Nicola Adams and Katya Jones dance together in 2020 had been a big part of her coming out journey.
Carney’s farewell, and fresh faces
Reigning champion Karen Carney returned to perform her week-one jive again with partner Carlos Gu, wearing the same diamante football shirt. She will hand over the glitterball trophy in 13 weeks.
The professional line-up has five new faces: Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita. They come from the UK, Canada, Italy, South Africa and Ukraine, and made their entrance in a routine that began atop a giant caged disco ball.
The judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke, had a lighter role than usual. Horwood still found room for a joke about Will Best’s hip movements.
Critics divided
- The Independent said the trio had made a good start. It called Willis the anchor given her experience, and said the three felt slightly crowded at times.
- The Guardian’s live blog called it a promising start. It praised Willis’s ease and Radebe’s insight, though it suggested Widdicombe tone down his laughter into the microphone. A separate Guardian analysis said the presenters looked nervous but found the show still a rare source of joy.
- The Telegraph’s Anita Singh was more critical of Widdicombe, saying he looked out of place, while praising Willis and Radebe.
- The Express was harshest, calling the hosting line-up a car crash and questioning the need for three presenters.
Even the Express said the real test would come next week, when the show goes live for the first time.
