Emma Willis Addresses 'Strictly' Criticism Amid Ratings Dip
The presenter shared a cryptic quote on Instagram following viewer feedback on the new hosting team and a drop in viewership for the show's first live episode.
Emma Willis has responded to criticism of the new presenting team on "Strictly Come Dancing" with a cryptic Instagram post. The show's first live episode saw a decline in ratings compared to the previous year, with 4.8 million viewers tuning in, down from 6.2 million for the equivalent show in the prior year.
The new presenting lineup, featuring Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe, received mixed reactions from viewers. Some viewers commented that Widdicombe appeared underutilized alongside the more experienced Willis, and he missed his cue twice during the broadcast. The BBC stated that "Strictly" remained the night's most-watched program, reaching a peak of 5 million viewers, and emphasized that overnight ratings do not capture the full audience in an on-demand viewing landscape.
Willis, who took over hosting duties alongside Widdicombe and Radebe after the departure of longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the end of the 2025 series, shared a quote on Tuesday that read: "You'll get judged either way, so may as well pick the fun option." Her post included behind-the-scenes photos from the show, signaling an effort to move past the critiques.
This is the first time since 2019 that the first live show has garnered lower ratings than the pre-recorded launch show. The launch episode, which aired last Saturday, peaked at 5.8 million viewers, a slight increase from the previous year's 5.6 million peak. However, the average viewership for the launch show was 5.3 million, down from 5.4 million in 2025. While the peak figure showed a minor rise, overall viewership remains below the numbers recorded before the program faced controversies regarding the treatment of celebrity contestants and behind-the-scenes culture, which led to changes in welfare measures and the departure of some professional dancers.
Despite some viewer feedback, Willis's Instagram comments were largely supportive, with fans expressing encouragement, including Radebe, who left a red heart emoji. Widdicombe also drew some positive attention for a "change partners" joke, a nod to the show's new format for announcing pairings.