Richard Osman Critiques "Strictly Come Dancing" New Format, Cites Ratings Dip
The television presenter suggested changes to the show's hosting and presentation style following a decline in viewership.
Television presenter Richard Osman has shared his thoughts on adjustments needed for the current format of "Strictly Come Dancing," following a noticeable dip in ratings for the show's recent live premiere. Osman pointed to issues with the new presenting team and the handling of segments involving professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
Osman, speaking on his podcast "The Rest Is Entertainment," suggested that Radebe requires a "slightly different role" in the so-called "Clauditorium." He argued that Radebe cannot replicate the "emotional" and "comic" elements previously managed by fan-favorite host Claudia Winkleman. Osman proposed that Radebe might be better suited to a role focusing on technical dance details, perhaps similar to segments on "Strictly It Takes Two."
"I'm not sure he can do the emotional journey in the same way that Claudia can, or the comic stuff or the diffusing of the tension," Osman stated.
Adding to his critique of the show's presentation, Osman expressed a desire to avoid celebrities introducing themselves by stating "You'll probably know me for" or "I'm best known as." He described this practice as "embarrassing for every single person who is" involved, including the show and the viewers.
The first live show of the season saw viewership numbers fall to 4.8 million, a significant decrease from last year's 6.2 million for the equivalent episode. This marks the first time since 2019 that the initial live show has recorded lower ratings than the pre-recorded launch show. The launch show itself attracted a peak of 5.8 million viewers, a slight increase from the previous year's 5.6 million peak, but the overall average viewership for the launch show was 5.3 million, down from 5.4 million in 2025.
These figures remain below the viewership numbers recorded prior to a series of controversies that affected the show, including allegations regarding the treatment of contestants and backstage culture. These issues led to the departure of professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, prompting the BBC to implement enhanced welfare measures. Before these controversies, the "Strictly" launch show peaked at 6.7 million viewers and averaged 6.3 million in 2023.
A spokesperson for "Strictly" commented that the show was the most-watched program of the night, reaching a peak of 5 million viewers, and noted that overnight ratings do not fully represent viewership in an on-demand viewing landscape.
The new presenting lineup, featuring Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe alongside Johannes Radebe in the "Clauditorium," has received mixed reactions. Some viewers perceived Widdicombe as a "spare part" on the dance floor, although he did receive some positive attention for a "change partners" joke that referenced the show's new format for announcing dance pairings.