The Strictly dance floor is about to witness a huge shake-up! Comedian Josh Widdicombe has officially been confirmed as one of the new hosts for the 2026 series, joining Emma Willis and South African star Johannes Radebe, insiders have revealed to the Daily Mail.
The 43-year-old comic has been tipped as the surprise favourite for weeks, dazzling producers with his deadpan humour and razor-sharp wit. Fans may remember Josh from the 2024 Christmas Special, where he dressed as a penguin and twirled across the floor with professional Karen Hauer, who won’t be returning this year.
Josh’s appointment marks a historic moment: he’s the first male to front Strictly since Bruce Forsyth, the legendary entertainer who retired in 2013 and passed away in 2017. Following Bruce’s departure, Claudia Winkleman took over—so Josh has some iconic shoes to fill.
A source told The Sun: “Josh blew the producers away with his quick wit and charm. He’s family-friendly, experienced with live TV audiences, and absolutely loves Strictly. He’s not a household name yet, which makes this leap huge for his career.”
Josh Widdicombe has been confirmed as Strictly host, as the comedian joins new line up alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe
Josh will be joining Emma Willis who was ‘revealed’ as the new host last week after emerging as the frontrunner during a cutthroat audition process
Joining him, Emma Willis has emerged as the steady hand of the new line-up. After impressing during cutthroat chemistry tests, the 50-year-old presenter, known for boosting ratings on The Voice UK and Big Brother, is seen as the perfect anchor for the show. “She has this incredible mix of vulnerability and confidence that the audience immediately connects with,” a producer said.
And then there’s Johannes Radebe, the 39-year-old South African dancer and choreographer. A Strictly favourite since 2018, Johannes is rumored to take on a presenting role this year, adding another exciting twist to the hosting trio. Sources reveal, “Every celeb who met him during auditions said he was the perfect partner for Emma—fun, talented, and ready to energise the live show.”
The BBC has confirmed the new line-up is set to take Strictly into a fresh era, with bosses eager to recapture the show’s magic. After weeks of secret auditions, chemistry tests, and NDAs, the final decision reflects a mix of experience, wit, and undeniable charm.
Fans can also look forward to a star-studded roster of returning professionals, including Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, Vito Coppola, Julian Caillon, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, and Kai, alongside several new pros yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, the celebrity line-up is expected to bring new excitement to the dance floor, judged by the formidable team of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton du Beke.
Strictly fans are already buzzing—will Josh’s humour, Emma’s poise, and Johannes’s flair be the winning combination to reignite Saturday night TV magic? Only time will tell.
