Clara Amfo Reveals Secret Audition for Strictly Host Role
The Radio 1 DJ shared details about the 'intense' selection process for the BBC show's hosting job.
Radio 1 presenter Clara Amfo has revealed that she auditioned for the role of host for the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, a position eventually filled by Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe for the 2026 series.
Amfo, who was a contestant on Strictly in 2020, admitted on her podcast "Clara & Munroe Are Into It" that she was initially "gutted" to miss out on the hosting job. She described the audition process as "intense," recalling a setup where participants were given code names like "glitter" and "sparkle" and transported in secret cars to a makeshift studio. "It was intense, man!" she stated.
She expressed respect for the individuals who were ultimately chosen for the roles. "Big up Emma Willis, we get on fantastically well, she's going to be amazing. Johannes, that's my boy we love Jojo. And Josh, lovely, lovely man," Amfo said. She added that she is not resentful of losing out on the work to people she admires and believes are skilled at their jobs.
Amfo's revelation comes as the new hosting trio made their debut on the pre-recorded launch episode of the 2026 series. The program aired on Saturday night, offering viewers their first glimpse of the new presenting team. Despite a slight increase in peak viewership to 5.8 million, the average viewership of 5.3 million was down from the previous year's 5.4 million. This figure remains significantly lower than the 6.3 million average viewership recorded in 2023, before the show was affected by controversies regarding contestant treatment and behind-the-scenes culture.
While Emma Willis received praise from some viewers, others found the three-presenter format to be "awkward and forced." Some viewers also commented that Josh Widdicombe appeared "out of his depth" during the broadcast.
Other notable figures, such as Zoe Ball and Sara Cox, have previously shared that they also auditioned for the hosting position before the BBC decided to opt for a three-host lineup. The first live show of the new Strictly Come Dancing series is scheduled for next Saturday.