Strictly Come Dancing's new hosts Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe have been seen arriving for a photoshoot ahead of the upcoming series. Their debut comes as this year's celebrity lineup has been described by some as the 'worst ever'.
Willis, 50, and Radebe, 39, will join Josh Widdicombe in hosting duties. The announcement followed months of speculation and a significant shift in the professional dancer lineup, which previously included Radebe.
Willis presented a chic, androgynous look with a cropped waistcoat over a sleeveless shirt and trousers, her hair slicked back, and minimal makeup. Radebe, a familiar face from the dancefloor, was seen in a white jumper, accessorizing with gold jewelry and a Gucci handbag.
While the hosts appeared enthusiastic, the celebrity cast has drawn criticism. Among the more recognizable names are Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Jaime Winstone, Will Best, and Melanie Walters. However, many of the selected stars are reportedly unknown to a significant portion of the viewing audience, with some participants lacking even a Wikipedia page.
This strategy appears to prioritize social media influence over household name recognition. For instance, YouTuber John, who has 15.7 million subscribers, and Kim Kardashian's hairstylist Chris, with 4 million Instagram followers, are part of the cast. This approach contrasts with the show's traditional demographic, which skews older, with approximately 60% of viewers aged 55 or above.
Producers are reportedly aiming to attract a younger demographic, possibly mirroring the success of similar strategies employed by the U.S. show 'Dancing With The Stars.' That program has leveraged its contestants' online followings, introducing elements like TikTok Night, which featured viral dance routines and boosted engagement with younger viewers. The 'Dancing With The Stars' TikTok account has amassed over five million followers, significantly more than Strictly's 670,000.
In May, it was confirmed that Willis and Radebe would be taking over hosting duties from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who had presented the show for 21 and 15 years, respectively. The announcement of the new hosting pair followed speculation and changes within the professional dance lineup.