Emma Willis, 50, has been seen getting to grips with dance routines in preparation for the upcoming launch of BBC's "Strictly Come Dancing." Willis will host the popular show alongside comedian Josh Widdicombe, 43, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe, 39. The trio has begun rehearsals for the new season, with Widdicombe sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses on Instagram.
In a post shared Friday, Widdicombe offered a look at the hosts' preparations, showing Willis appearing focused during a dance session and the three reviewing scripts. He captioned the update, "Lovely couple of days in London prepping and learning a dance with these legends. Oh my, not long now…"
The new season of "Strictly Come Dancing" is set to undergo a significant revamp, featuring new hosts and professional dancers. The inaugural episode of the new series is scheduled to air on September 19, at which point the celebrity and professional pairings will be revealed. This first episode is pre-recorded.
The live shows will commence the following week, with the first live performances and scoring taking place on September 26. Eliminations will begin after the second weekend of performances and public votes, with the first couple expected to be eliminated on October 4. The series finale is slated for December 19, just days before Christmas.
Additionally, former contestant Ellie Taylor has been confirmed as the new host for the spin-off show, "It Takes Two." Taylor's new role was announced by Willis on her BBC Radio 2 Saturday lunchtime show, during a segment dedicated to "Strictly." Taylor expressed her excitement, stating, "I am over the moon! I feel giddy. So nice to get the secret out. I've had the theme tune in my head since I found out... I was like 'stop it woman!'"
Taylor added that she was thrilled to be returning to the "Strictly" fold and had known about her new role for a month. She shared a statement expressing her honor to follow previous hosts of "It Takes Two" and her eagerness to share all the details from the ballroom with fellow fans.
Other celebrity contestants for the upcoming season include Lacey Turner, Delta Goodrem, Cach Mercer, Dame Sarah Storey, Bethany Antonia, Graeme Hall, Tabby Stoecker, Dani Dyer, Chris Appleton, Will Best, Jaime Winstone, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Lawrence Robb, and John Nellis. Each contestant has expressed a mix of excitement and trepidation about the challenge ahead and the opportunity to learn new skills on the ballroom floor.