Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe have been seen arriving at BBC studios for a photoshoot, marking their debut as the new hosts of "Strictly Come Dancing." Their appearance comes as speculation continues to surround the season's lineup, which some viewers have described as "the worst to date."
Willis and Radebe were announced in May as the successors to Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who hosted the popular BBC show for 21 and 15 years, respectively. Radebe, previously a professional dancer on the show, is transitioning to a hosting role.
Among the confirmed celebrities for the upcoming season are Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Jaime Winstone, Will Best, and Melanie Walters. However, many of these personalities are reportedly unfamiliar to a significant portion of the "Strictly" audience.
While some new contestants, such as YouTuber John, lack a Wikipedia presence, producers are reportedly prioritizing individuals with substantial social media followings. Chris, Kim Kardashian's hairstylist, has 4 million Instagram followers, and John boasts 15.7 million YouTube subscribers. This strategy appears to mirror that of its U.S. counterpart, "Dancing With The Stars," which has successfully leveraged its contestants' online reach, including a dedicated TikTok Night.
The age demographic of "Strictly Come Dancing" viewers, predominantly Gen X and Baby Boomers, with an average age in the mid-50s, contrasts with the younger audience targeted by the current casting strategy. "Dancing With The Stars" has seen an increase in engagement from younger viewers following its incorporation of viral dance routines and social media-focused episodes, with its TikTok account amassing over five million followers compared to "Strictly's" 670,000.