BREAKING NEWS: Former Strictly Star Breaks Silence With Blunt Verdict On BBC’s Major Reboot
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Denise van Outen has given her verdict on the BBC show’s major overhaul, admitting she believes the changes could give the long-running competition exactly what it needs.
The ballroom series is entering a dramatically different era following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe taking over presenting duties.
BBC bosses have also changed the traditional celebrity pairing format, adding another major difference to the new series.
Denise, who competed on Strictly in 2012, admitted that big television reboots can create uncertainty but said she is excited about what the new team could bring.
“I think the hosting line-up’s great,” she told Express.co.uk.
“I’m a massive fan of Emma Willis, I think she’s great. Johannes is lovely too and so knowledgeable.”
Denise Still Has Fond Memories of Strictly
Denise competed alongside professional dancer James Jordan in 2012, when Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly were presenting the programme.
More than a decade later, she admitted the familiar Strictly theme music still immediately takes her back to her own experience in the ballroom.
“I did it in 2012, and I loved it,” she said.
“Every year when I hear that music, it instantly transforms me back to being in that studio and waiting to go on and do my dance.”
Having experienced the pressure herself, Denise said she understands exactly what the latest celebrity contestants are about to face.
“You know exactly what they’re going through,” she explained.
“It’s the scariest and the most fun thing you can do.”
Despite the nerves involved, Denise said she would happily return and experience the competition again.
“If I could do it all again, I would do it in a heartbeat.”
‘It Needs a Little Reinvention’
Denise believes changing the presenting team could ultimately prove beneficial for Strictly.
She singled out Emma’s broadcasting experience and Johannes’s knowledge of dancing as particular strengths.
Speaking about Johannes, she said having somebody who understands the competition from inside the ballroom should add something different to the presenting team.
“That’s why I think it’s great to have someone who really knows their stuff in the presenting line-up,” she said.
Rather than viewing the changes negatively, Denise suggested the reboot could inject fresh energy into the programme.
“I think it’s going to give it a new little injection of pizzazz, which is probably what it needs,” she said.
“With any show, it needs a little reinvention.”
She added that she was excited to see the new presenters in action and predicted they would prove successful.
“I just think we’ve got great hosts that are going to be brilliant.”
Strictly Introduces More Major Changes
The presenting line-up is not the only part of the show receiving an overhaul.
The BBC has also changed the traditional coupling process that previously took place ahead of the live shows.
The celebrity-professional partnerships have now been revealed under the revamped format, while longtime professional Neil Jones has again been left without a celebrity partner.
The various changes mean viewers are entering a series that looks noticeably different from previous years.
For Denise, however, reinvention is not necessarily something Strictly should fear.
Her enthusiasm comes from personal experience of the programme and the memories she still has from competing more than a decade ago.
Denise Backs New-Look Strictly
Away from discussing the ballroom competition, Denise has also teamed up with Gas Safe Register ahead of Gas Safety Week.
The television personality said her recent work on consumer-focused programmes had encouraged her to use her platform to raise awareness about checking professional credentials.
She warned that impressive websites and social media profiles should not replace proper checks when choosing someone to carry out potentially dangerous gas work.
“When it comes to something like gas, it could be life-threatening, so you need to make sure you have the right people,” she said.
Denise urged consumers to confirm that engineers are properly registered before allowing them to work in their homes.
But when it comes to Strictly, her attention remains firmly on the programme’s new era.
Despite the scale of the changes, Denise appears optimistic that Emma, Josh and Johannes can make the new format work.
After experiencing the ballroom herself, she believes a little reinvention could be exactly what the BBC favourite needs as it begins its next chapter.
