Emma Willis recently shared behind-the-scenes Instagram photos documenting the preparations for the Strictly Come Dancing launch. The images featured her alongside new co-hosts Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe.
A 5.8 million viewer peak for the new era
The launch of the new Strictly Come Dancing season saw a significant surge in interest, with overnight figures showing a peak of 5.8 million viewers. This represents a slight increase from the 5 .6 million viewers who tuned in for the previous year's launch. the transition marks a major shift for the production, as 43-year-old Emma Willis, 39-year-old Johannes Radebe, and 43-year-old Josh Widdicombe take over the mantle from long-standing presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Support from Claudia Winkleman and Scarlett Moffatt
High-profile celebrities have been quick to offer their approval of the new presenting lineup. As the report says, former host Claudia Winkleman expressed her support via social media with a serries of heart emojis. Entertainer Scarlett Moffatt also praised the team, noting that the broadcast felt like being "invited to a party" from one's own living room. Other industry figures, including Giovanna Fletcher and professional dancer Dianne Buswell, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the warmth and energy of the new trio.
The X user debate over the three-host format
The decision to utilize three presenters has triggered a divided reaction among the show's dedicated audience on X.. While some viewers expressed excitement about Emma Willis joining the cast, others questioned the necessity of the expanded hosting team. According to the report, some fans found the new arrangement "odd" compared to the previous era, with specific criticism directed at Josh Widdicombe's perceived fit within the show's established tone.
The discrepancy between peak and average viewership
The statistical performance of the launch episode presents a complex picture for the show's producers. While the program reached a peak of 5.8 million viewers, the average viewership was 5.3 million, which is a slight decline from the 5.4 million average recorded in 2025. This gap raises several unanswered questions regarding the long-term impact of the new format. It remains unclear if the three-host structure will eventually stabilize the audiennce or if the perceived complexity will lead to a continued downward trend in average viewership. Furthermore, the show has yet to prove if the chemistry between Willis, Radebe, and Widdicombe can maintain the consistent engagement levels seen in previous years.
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