Johannes Radebe, one of the newly appointed hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, is brimming with excitement. When asked about the moment he learned he had secured the role, he playfully teases his fellow presenters. “I’ll always remember that call,” he says with a smile. “It was a weekday afternoon, and I was at home getting ready for my performance in the West End show Kinky Boots. But let’s hear from you two about where you were.”
Emma Willis recalls, “We all received the same message asking us to join a Zoom meeting. We were unsure if it would be good news or bad.” Josh Widdicombe adds to the narrative, “I thought to myself, ‘There’s no way they’d tell me in person if I didn’t get it; they’d just inform my agent.’”
Radebe playfully probes Widdicombe about his location during the call. “I was in a graveyard in Birmingham,” Widdicombe admits. “I was on tour and needed a quiet place, and what’s quieter than a cemetery? Just to clarify, I was sitting against a tree, not on a grave.”
Willis had her own awkward situation. “I was at the hair salon with my head in the sink. The BBC asked if I could find a private spot, and I told them it was either outside or in the restroom. They suggested the restroom, so I was sitting on the toilet with wet hair when I got the news—though I wasn’t using it, I assure you. The lid was down.” A graveyard and a salon restroom—who knew the entertainment industry had such unconventional settings?
The departure of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman last Christmas led to much speculation about the new presenters for the popular BBC show. The combination of reality star Willis, comedian Widdicombe, and professional dancer Radebe was unexpected.
Willis reflects on the initial shock of the news, stating, “We had to keep it secret for two weeks. The only people we could share it with were each other, so we created a WhatsApp group named ‘OMG’ on that fateful afternoon. It remains unchanged.” Widdicombe humorously adds, “You should never alter group chat names; they’re historic.”
The selection process involved discreet auditions and screen tests. “It felt like waiting for Christmas,” Willis notes, “the entire experience seemed to drag on forever.” Widdicombe elaborates, “We all had individual meetings followed by a week of chemistry tests. We were kept in the dark about the details, just told to get in a car and be discreet to avoid any paparazzi.”
To throw off any speculation, the BBC even invented a fake show titled The Great Garden Glow Up. Widdicombe shares, “A producer told me they wanted a show that all the auditionees could host. I laughed and thought, ‘There’s no way I would host that!’ I could see Emma doing it with Tom Allen, though.” Willis chimed in, “You wouldn’t say that if you saw my garden’s condition.”
The auditions mimicked the atmosphere of Elstree Studios. “It was like a DIY version of Strictly,” Willis describes, “complete with a wallpapering table and judges. My panel included Anton and Motsi, along with some stand-ins.” Widdicombe gives a shout-out to a producer who performed an impressive impression of judge Craig. “My initial chemistry test was actually with Jojo,” Willis remembers, “and clearly, we must have done something right.”
Interestingly, Willis nearly participated as a contestant in the past. “I had wanted to be on the show for years and almost got the chance,” she shares. “I did a dance trial with Jojo, and while it didn’t materialize, we stayed in touch. When he walked into the screen test, I thought, ‘This is perfect!’” Widdicombe jokes, “They saw Emma with Jojo and figured they had two-thirds of the chemistry they needed!”
Regarding the decision to have three hosts instead of the traditional duo, Willis explains, “When we were called back in, the producers said they wanted to try something different after watching our screen tests. They had never considered a trio before.” Initially, the scripts were designed for pairs, which added to the novelty of their presentation.
All three hosts were eager for the opportunity. Radebe expresses, “After the last chemistry test, I went home, called upon my ancestors, and prayed. I really wanted to work with these two. But if it didn’t happen, I could always return as a dancer. I’m committed to dancing, and I made sure to include that in my contract!” They appreciate the triad format, feeling it fosters camaraderie. “We feel like a team,” Widdicombe states. “There’s no ego among us. It allows us to differentiate ourselves from Claudia and Tess, making it easier for us to bring our own style to the show.”
While some reports claim the trio impressed the producers with their dynamic chemistry, Willis remains grounded. “I keep hearing that, but we need to deliver on-screen as well. Our chemistry may be strong now, but I’m sure we’ll be nervous for our first live show. I hear the theme music in my sleep and wake up in a panic.”
Speculation had it that Willis would take on a role similar to Daly’s on the dance floor, with Widdicombe in Winkleman’s balcony position and Radebe as a roving reporter. “I understand the assumptions, but that’s not accurate,” Willis clarifies. “There will be no roving reporter or designated roles. The trio format is a refreshing change, but…”
