‘A possible stroke of genius’: may the brand new hosts save Strictly Come Dancing?

It takes two to tango. However apparently it takes three to host a TV present about tangoing. After months of tabloid hypothesis, the BBC has revealed the brand new presenters of Strictly Come Dancing. And there’s not one, not two, however three of them. Let’s hope they don’t tread on one another’s toes.

Rumours have been swirling and now the worst-kept secret in showbiz has been confirmed. Broadcaster Emma Willis, comic Josh Widdicombe {and professional} dancer Johannes Radebe have been introduced because the all-new lineup. This autumn, they’ll exchange the longstanding pairing of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who bowed out collectively at Christmas. As a brand new ballroom period begins, can this unlikely trio stabilise the itemizing Strictly ship? And is three actually the magic quantity?

Let’s take them one after the other. Birmingham-born Willis will take over Daly’s function because the present’s predominant anchor, introducing the pro-celebrity {couples}, canvassing the opinions of the judges and customarily holding the present on the street. She has type on this space, having executed comparable roles on The Voice, The Circle and Massive Brother. Naysayers might discover the 50-year-old an uninspired appointment – she is pretty ubiquitous on actuality TV, in spite of everything – however I’ve excessive hopes. For a begin, Willis is a Strictly superfan who is aware of her charleston from her cha-cha-cha. She’s pure, slyly humorous and steely when she must be. She’ll put nervous celebrities comfy and turn into their cheerleader, reasonably like Daly did. Positive, Willis isn’t a curveball – however she’s a secure pair of fingers. That may be what Strictly wants.

Widdicombe is extra of an unknown amount and probably has the trickier job. He’ll fill Winkleman’s footwear on the ballroom balcony – the realm previously often called the “Clauditorium” – the place he’ll interview the {couples} post-routine. Winkleman’s infectious sense of silliness made her Strictly’s breakout star and propelled her to turn into Britain’s greatest TV presenter. No strain, Josh. The 43-year-old’s rapid-fire humour has been honed from standup units and a 14-year stint on Channel 4’s The Final Leg. Positive, he would possibly lack glamour and razzmatazz in contrast with Claud, however most mere mortals would. The problem is to maintain any mickey-taking affectionate (Claud poked enjoyable fondly) and household pleasant (The Final Leg airs at 10pm, however Strictly is a teatime present). Widdicombe even has prior Strictly pedigree – not simply as a namesake of Ann however having appeared on the 2024 Christmas particular, albeit in a penguin costume extra suited to a toddler’s celebration.

No less than it’s not Jimmy Carr … Radebe, Willis and Widdicombe. {Photograph}: BBC/Ray Burmiston

Lastly comes probably the most maverick rent: in style Strictly professional Radebe, who will act as a roving reporter behind the scenes. The South African sweetheart is a real one-off, who will add a welcome dose of dance experience, in addition to flamboyance. Jojo had turn into recognized for his fab-u-lous wardrobe. However this backstage transient is a model new function for the present. The mixture of insider insights and Radebe’s all-round loveliness means this transfer is a possible stroke of genius. He may show a success with youthful viewers, offering spontaneous, social media-style content material. There are theories that Jojo was outgrowing the present – he not too long ago starred in West Finish musical Kinky Boots – and such a sideways transfer is a method of holding him within the fold.

It stays to be seen how a crew of three will work. Most mainstream franchises are steered by double acts – not simply Tess and Claud, however Ant and Dec, Mel and Sue, Anna and Grace. The hazard is that overstaffing might make an ensemble present really feel overcrowded. They might find yourself jostling for consideration and trigger the working time to bloat. Is it an indication that they discovered changing Tess and Claudia’s roles tough and needed to break up their jobs 3 ways? Or that the format is being freshened up?

After an intensive audition course of, maybe we must always belief that the producers know what they’re doing. Phrase is that the trio have nice chemistry. Widdicombe has demonstrated on The Final Leg that he can type an efficient a part of a threesome. They’re all a part of the BBC household already, with Willis and Widdicombe presenting exhibits on Radio 2 – the wi-fi equal of Strictly. There’s one thing for everybody right here. The Strictly viewers is a broad church. Most viewers ought to discover anyone to their tastes amongst this various trio.

This can be a yr of flux for the venerable hoofing franchise. 5 professional dancers have departed. The present remains to be wobbling from a string of scandals. Now it has three recent faces on the helm. Whether or not they’re a twinkle-toed triumph or a dance dis-a-ster, will probably be fascinating to look at. And hey, no less than they didn’t give Paddy McGuinness or Jimmy Carr the job.