Strictly head judge defends new presenters amid show shake-up

Entertainment
21 May 2026 • 6:38 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Strictly head judge defends new presenters amid show shake-up

  • Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has defended the selection of Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as the new presenters for the forthcoming series.
  • The trio will replace the recently departed Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, marking a change from a presenting duo to a three-person team.
  • Ballas praised Johannes Radebe as a 'well-loved figure' and described Josh Widdicombe as 'funny, funny, funny, funny' after meeting him.
  • She also spoke highly of Emma Willis, recalling a positive past interaction during Cooking with the Stars.
  • Ballas believes the BBC 'got this right' and has given the show a 'facelift', despite the previous hosts' departure and and show’s string of high-profile controversies.

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