Overview
- The BBC has appointed Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe as a presenting trio for Strictly Come Dancing, with the team rehearsing and taking part in pre‑recorded launch choreography.
- The pre‑recorded launch was filmed at Elstree Studios and will air on Saturday 19 September at 7:25pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
- For the first time celebrity–pro pairings will be revealed through three specially choreographed group dance routines and the hosts will perform a joint opening number, a change the BBC says gives the episode a more dance‑focused start.
- Producers used rehearsals and the launch recording to experiment with a fluid split of presenting duties rather than fixed Tess Daly/Claudia Winkleman‑style roles, and insiders reported emotional moments, retakes and a longer recording session.
- The BBC confirmed five new professional dancers joining the roster and the new hosts say they expect comparisons and criticism, with Emma Willis saying she will not engage with online abuse as live shows begin the following weekend.