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Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have been announced as the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing.
It comes after weeks of intense speculation and a reported audition process, all to replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly after their shock exit last year.
It had been reported last week that Willis, Widdicombe and Radebe beat out the stiff competition to clinch the shared job, but the BBC kept the official announcement under wraps until this week.
The broadcaster finally shared a video with the trio on social media, set to the track Three Is a Magic Number, with Willis, then Radebe stepping out in front of the camera, before Widdicombe was revealed behind it.
The BBC’s chief content officer, Kate Phillips, praised the trio for their ‘undeniable’ chemistry in the long-awaited official announcement.
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She said: ‘There’s been so much speculation and hype, so I’m relieved we can share the news with the public at last!
‘I’d like to thank all the brilliant people we saw before making this tough decision.
‘But the most beloved ballroom in the UK always leads the way, and in a Strictly first, we have chosen three outstanding hosts to take up the mantel.
‘Along with our amazing Strictly team, who are busy planning fabulous and unforgettable treats for this new series, I know this terrific trio can’t wait to join our judges and pros to bring us must-see TV on the BBC this autumn.’
Willis, who is a veteran presenter of shows including Big Brother and Love is Blind UK, said she is a ‘huge fan’ of Strictly.
She added: ‘I’ve cheered and danced along from my sofa for years, so to be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can’t quite comprehend.
‘I can’t wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!’
Widdicombe had appeared on Good Morning Britain earlier in the day and nervously dodged questions when asked about the then-rumoured job.
When all was finally revealed, he referred to his previous Strictly outing, dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas special, as a career highlight.
The comedian said he was ‘giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television’, before joking: ‘I’ll dust off the penguin costume.’
Meanwhile, Radebe will be crossing over from the Strictly ballroom floor to front of house, having first joined the show as a professional dancer in 2018.
He said: ‘To be returning to Strictly Come Dancing in this new role is beyond anything I ever imagined. This show has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness, and I feel deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward.’
Strictly Come Dancing executive producer Sarah James admitted that the trio was an ‘unexpected’ choice, but said their magic in the room was ‘undeniable’.
When listing their abilities, James noted Willis brings the deep bench of live TV presenting experience, while Widdicombe ‘had them in stitches’ with his quick wit. She went on to describe Radebe as a ‘one-of-a-kind talent’ with a wealth of knowledge from his own time on the dancefloor.
She said: ‘Most importantly, what truly shines through is the love and passion all three share for this show. That’s the key ingredient and we hope our audience will love them as much as we do.’
Daly and Winkleman announced their departure from Strictly in October, saying they would pass ‘the very sparkly baton’ to whoever came next.
The speculation over which showbiz names would be their successors reached a fever pitch in recent weeks, when it was reported the BBC had conducted chemistry tests and made its decision.
Among the names rumoured to have been in contention were Zoe Ball, Angela Scanlon and Rylan Clark, as well as It Takes Two hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East.
Strictly Come Dancing will return for its 24th season this autumn.
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