James Jordan Calls for Overhaul of Strictly's Presenting and Judging Panel

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has voiced strong criticism of the show's current presenting and judging format, urging BBC bosses to consider replacing key personnel. Jordan described the new three-presenter dynamic, featuring Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, as "too much" and suggested a return to a two-host model.

Willis, Widdicombe, and Radebe took over hosting duties, and while initial audience reactions have been mixed, Jordan remains unconvinced. "Two [presenters] are enough. Why do you need three? I just don't really understand it," Jordan stated in an interview. He added that Willis, a highly capable presenter, is now doing "less" due to sharing the spotlight. Jordan also commented on Widdicombe's performance, suggesting his humor feels "forced" and "too scripted."

While Jordan acknowledged that Radebe is still finding his footing after being "thrown in at the deep end," he believes the overall presenting team is not working effectively. He indicated that while he is willing to give the new hosts more time to settle into their roles, his initial assessment is that the current setup is confusing and excessive.

Beyond the presenters, Jordan also targeted the judging panel, which includes Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel Horwood. He argued that the panel needs a "freshen up," finding their critiques predictable due to the judges being too familiar. "I really do feel that the judging panel needs a bit of a freshen up because I don't think it's working anymore," he said.

Jordan, who competed on Strictly for eight years between 2006 and 2013, suggested that the "dynamic between them just seems a little bit scripted and disjointed." Despite his criticisms, he acknowledged that he still enjoys watching the show and noted that comparing the new hosts to long-standing former presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman might be unfair.

He concluded that while the current format is not as strong as previous iterations, he would reserve a final judgment until the end of the series, allowing the new team time to "bed in and get used to it and find their feet."