Strictly It Takes Two’s new host Ellie Taylor is criticised for ‘forcing funny lines’ as viewers blast spin-off’s format without the professionals in another blow to the BBC after live show suffered rating slump

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two host Ellie Taylor was criticised for ‘forcing funny lines’ during her first ever show after she replaced Fleur East and Janette Manrara.

The comedian, 42, who competed on Strictly in 2022, made her debut on Monday following the first live show of the series over the weekend.

Strictly has suffered a drop in ratings since new presenting team Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe took over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. 

In yet another blow to the BBC, viewers have blasted the spin-off’s new format as it was revealed the celebrities will appear without their partner on the show. 

Fans insisted the changes to It Takes Two are a ‘total downgrade’ as they shared their thoughts on new presenter Ellie on social media. 

Comments read: ‘Didn’t like this either. Ellie s jokes feel flat. Jeanette and fleur did a great job. Prefer seeing the couples too and too much chat with those 3 on the sofa #ItTakesTwo,’

‘It Takes Two felt over scripted with too many forced ‘funny’ lines. And who designed that set??? needs to revisit format and scripting…’,

‘Totally downgrade, it seriously is beggers belief why & who came up with the concept of making changes to two shows #StrictlyComeDancing & #ItTakesTwo that didn’t require no change apart from maybe higher level presenters. It’s ruining the winning formula by adding cheap gimmicks,’

‘#ItTakesTwo The clue’s in the title of the show. Two. A celeb AND a pro. Together on the couch having a chat,’

‘Really hope this is just for the early weeks to be able to get through all the couples easier because if the pros aren’t even going to be on it takes two anymore that is a terrible move #strictly #ittakestwo,’

‘Not sure I like the celebs being interviewed in a group without their pros, can get away with it this week as nobody has left #ittakestwo.’

The 150-minute episode suffered a ratings slump on Saturday, with the live show bringing in fewer viewers than the pre-recorded launch episode for the first time in seven years. 

Viewers complained about the new presenters missing cues and fluffing lines and asked the big question – why did the BBC hire three to do a two-man job?  

A week on from the pre-recorded launch, fans and critics were hoping Emma, Josh and Johannes would have had some time to finesse their roles.

During the launch, the three rotated positions in the Elstree studio. But with three vying for two roles, viewers soon singled out the ‘spare part’, homing in on Josh.

For the first live show Emma, the most experienced presenter of the three, took over Tess’s position down on the dancefloor, looking out for the nervous contestants during the judges’ critique. 

Johannes meanwhile was up in the ‘Clauditorium’, debriefing with his fellow pros and their partners. 

That left Josh, who was placed by Emma’s side adding the punchlines to her commentary, but the decision to split Tess’s role didn’t go down well with viewers who remarked that the comedian looked like a ‘spare part’ next to seasoned professional Emma.

Josh’s inexperience, and nerves, were evident when he awkwardly missed his cue during a link. After chatting with Love Island’s Cach Mercer following his dance, Johannes threw to Emma and Josh, asking: ‘Who’s dancing now?’

The screen then cut to them to introduce the next pair, but Josh stood there for a few seconds until he realised it was time to speak. The same issue then happened again later in the show during a different link. 

Later, judge Motsi Mabuse playfully admonished Josh with a sassy comment during Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey’s feedback.

After Craig gave his rather cutting feedback, Motsi turned to him to say that she actually agreed with what he was saying for once, which led to Craig quipping: ‘Great – we can move on to Shirley [Ballas] then!’

Motsi burst out laughing before then replying: ‘Well I have to do my job too!’ Josh jumped in, jokingly shouting: ‘Shirley!’ as if to skip over Motsi’s feedback.

The Strictly veteran cheekily remarked to Josh: ‘Well are we going to be friends or enemies, you choose now!’ as the audience and Josh laughed it off.

‘Josh feared for his P45 in Week 1. Motsi ate him up,’ declared one viewer on X.

Critics and viewers have argued though that ‘Josh is really not the problem’, criticising BBC bosses for hiring three hosts and misassigning their roles.

Josh, well versed in comedy live telly thanks to his 14 years on Channel 4’s The Last Leg, should have been given Claudia’s role, argued many fans, pointing out that his gag-filled commentary works best as a soloist. 

‘I’m not going to be one of the people hating on Josh. For me the problem is that three hosts just aren’t needed,’ pointed out one viewer on X. ‘He’s just standing there awkwardly next to Emma without much to do. Josh should’ve been up where Johannes is and Johannes should be dancing imo.’,

‘ngl, i’m not a fan of this hosts setup. I’d switch jojo and josh around, why book a comedian and not put him causing chaos and fun in the clauditorium (or whatever we call it these days) #Strictly,’ agreed another.