Citation Press · Reykjavík, Iceland · Source-backed citation indexAbout us
Vol. I · Citation Index · Est. 2026

Source-backed facts, each tied to a named person and a number.

citations.press publishes structured, citation-ready facts extracted from named publications. Every claim is reviewed for source clarity before it goes live.

Index  ›  business  ›  Express
business · Express

Emma Willis

Express Published Jun 29, 2026 Reviewed Jun 30, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors
Citation-ready fact
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly confirmed in October last year that they would be stepping away from Strictly Come Dancing once the 2025 series concluded.
2025 series · conclusion of their hosting
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly
View source ↗

Emma Willis has opened up about her "worry" as she gears up to front her debut series of Strictly Come Dancing. The TV star is set to co-host the BBC's beloved ballroom competition alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, who previously served as one of the show's professional dancers.

The three presenters were confirmed as the new hosting line-up in May, several months after Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announced their departures. Emma and Josh spoke about their new roles on BBC Radio 2, with Emma admitting she fears expectations surrounding the hosts' chemistry have been set too "high", reports Birmingham Live.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

"Do you know what worries me?" she asked as she chatted to Josh. "A few things I've read recently is that people go, well, people are going, 'The chemistry was off the charts.' I'm like, don't set it that far, the bar that high, because then we've got nowhere to go!

"Yeah, go, 'They all got on really well.' Start there."

She went on to add: "But what fun we're going to have."

"I know, I'm so excited," Josh replied. "I know this sounds weird, because obviously it is a bit huge, and you know it's huge, but you don't realise how huge it is. So you haven't even been on it yet, and that's all the people in the street talk to you about."

Emma replied: "Yeah, I keep going, 'Yeah, thanks' and they're like, 'Are you excited?' I'm like, 'I'm terrified'."

Claudia and Tess confirmed in October last year that they would be stepping away once the 2025 series concluded, telling supporters that it felt "like the right time" to move on. "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream," they said in a joint statement shared on Instagram.

"We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show," they went on. "They're the most brilliant team and we'll miss them every day."

Thus far, four celebrities have been announced for the 2026 series of Strictly. Celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton, EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem and former Love Islander Dani Dyer have all signed up.

This article was originally published by Express ↗. citations.press indexes the source-backed facts above and links to the original. Something wrong? Corrections policy · Report an error