Strictly Come Dancing returns with new hosting trio of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and former pro Johannes Radebe – but fans already ask ‘why do we need three of them?’

The new series of Strictly Come Dancing finally kicked off on Saturday night, with new hosts at the helm, a format shakeup and 15 nervous celebs.

Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have taken over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who departed the BBC show at the end of the 2025 series. 

The new trio joined the dance floor for the first ever time as they welcomed back judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.

Sharing his nerves, Josh said: ‘It’s a little bit overwhelming to be here but we are so excited…’

‘We cannot wait to spend the next 13 weeks with all of you,’ Emma said.

Viewers at home hailed Emma ‘the goddess of British TV’ as she launched the series in a plunging glitzy dress.

While the TV personality went down a hit with fans, bemused fans asked: ‘Why do we need three hosts?’ as they shared their verdict on social media.

Users wrote on X: ‘i love emma, jojo and josh but it feels so odd without tess and claude, this is gonna take some getting used to,’

‘I can’t understand why we need 3 presenters???’

‘3 hosts are different but I love emma willis so happy she’s part of this,’

‘Emma and Johannes have got this but Josh just does not fit #Strictly,’ 

‘Why does it need 3 presenters? It just doesn’t work,’ 

‘Is it way too early to say I’m not sold on these hosts and I want Tess and Claud back? #strictly,’

Emma marked her first ever Strictly show with an emotional post on Instagram, writing: ‘Week one… I guess it’s officially happening then. Dress on, game face ready and fully prepared for the glitter to take over… Strictly, let’s be having you.’

As the hosts previously explained, the new presenting format is fluid with no ‘like-for-like’ replacements for Claudia and Tess. 

Instead, seasoned TV presenter Emma, comedian Josh and Strictly pro dancer Johannes tried out different combinations during the launch show episode.  

Pre-recorded last week, it saw the new crop of celebrities find out who they will be dancing with for, potentially, 13 weeks as they vie for the Glitterball trophy.

Taking to Instagram before the show, Tess wished the new trio the best of luck as she wrote: ‘BBC Strictly class of 26! So excited for tonight! And to finally be able to watch Strictly in flat shoes’.

In another big change, the celeb contestants were split into groups of five to take part in three specially choreographed dance routines to find out their partner. 

Dani Dyer, 30, returned for her second year after an ankle injury forced her to withdraw early in last year’s competition. 

She was reunited with her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin, 28, whom she was paired with last year.  

House Of The Dragon actress and West End star Bethany Antonia, 28, partner was Nancy Xu, 35.

Bethany had requested a female dance partner after she was inspired by Nicola Adams and Katya Jones’s coupling in 2020 as they helped with her coming out journey.

‘That was life-changing for me – to see my family so supportive of an all-female couple and what that meant,’ she said.

Nancy missed out on a partner last year so was delighted to be back in the competition once again.   

Love Island star Cach Mercer, 25, has been paired with one of the five new Strictly pro dancers Maddie Ingoldsby.

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, 43, is with show veteran and fan favourite Amy Dowden.

Australian singer and actress Delta Goodrem, 41, is with Kai Widdrington whilst dog trainer Graeme Hall, 59, is with Lauren Oakley.

Actress Jaime Winstone, 41, has been partnered with Carlos Gu, who will be hoping to replicate his 2025 win with Karen Carney.

Sports Youtuber John Nellis, 33, is with the show’s longest-serving professional Katya.

EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, 38, has landed fan favourite Vito Coppola whilst Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb, 34, is with Jowita Przystał.

The oldest celebrity in the new series, Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters, 64, is in good hands with long-time pro Aljaž Škorjanec.

Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, 48, has been paired with Julian Caillon whilst former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, 44, is with Alexis Warr.

British skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker, 25, is with another new pro Mark Karmalita and Big Brother presenter Will Best, 41, is with show favourite Dianne Buswell, who lifted the Glitterball in 2024.

The judges, Shirley, Motsi, Craig and Anton then watched on as the celebs participated in a group dance with the professionals. 

Some pros have missed out on a partner, with Neil Jones said to be ‘gutted’ that he has once again been left without a celeb.   

Neil joined the BBC dance competition in 2016 and has not been assigned a partner for seven of the ten years.

He was last paired with singer Toyah Willcox in 2024, where they lasted only two weeks before being eliminated.

Neil will now join the other dancers on the bench after he was injured in rehearsals this month.

Earlier this week new host Josh admitted filming the launch show episode had left him feeling wiped out. 

The comic, 43, explained on the latest episode of his and Rob Beckett’s Parenting Hell podcast, that he was left drained after filming the show on September 9.

Josh admitted: ‘I’m not very well. I don’t want to go too graphic, but I’ve got stomach problems. I just keep needing a p**, and I’m constipated, and I’ve got stomach pains.’

He added: ‘I’m not stressed, I’m tired.

‘Full disclosure, we’ve done the launch show of Strictly on Wednesday. It went well. The next day, I don’t think I’ve ever been so tired in my life, and I still don’t feel like I’ve fully recovered.’

‘Admittedly, I had a show in Dublin the next day, then I came back, and then I had a full-on weekend of parenting.’

Strictly continues with the first live show of Series 24 on Saturday, September 26.