BREAKING NEWS: Strictly’s new Tess and Claudia are total car crash – only one thing can save reboot
Strictly Come Dancing is back, but not quite with a bang – it’s Sasha’s Strictly Verdict!
Strictly returned, but not quite with a bang (Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing is back – and unfortunately, with more of a crash than a bang. The pressure surrounding the 2026 series was obvious following the surprise exits of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, and the axing of some popular professional dancers. Rebooting such a prized asset and top-billed show as Strictly was a daunting task for bosses, and after an underwhelming launch show, the jury is still very much out on whether they have pulled it off.
As the show kicked off with a seamless and fabulously camp dance number, I was optimistic about what was to come in the post-Tess and Claudia era. Their exit has created a make-or-break moment for the show, offering an opportunity to revamp and bring in a younger audience, but one wrong move could mark the beginning of the end.
Sadly, just seconds after seeing the three new hosts – Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe – bumble onto the set together, my hope died, and quickly. Their nerves were apparent, although in fairness, Emma was a total pro and far more adept at hiding this than the other two.
Josh Widdecombe got a mixed response (Image: BBC)
Poor Josh, on the other hand, looked like a deer in headlights and was completely out of his depth from start to finish. He almost seemed like he’d taken a wrong turn and accidentally wandered onto the stage and was waiting for the first chance to leave. You know it’s bad when Johannes, a complete novice at presenting, seems more natural in front of the camera. Josh’s forced laughter, awkward mannerisms and lead balloon jokes gave the show an uncomfortable energy, which even the glitter and cheesy patter couldn’t salvage. Backstage with the stars, both male hosts were too often wide-eyed, nodding and smiling as if they were being held hostage, while charismatic Emma showed them up, moving seamlessly from one position to the next.
Having three presenters seemed unnecessary, too, as if the bosses didn’t feel they could trust Josh or Johannes to hold a role on their own. But the real test will be next week.
A pre-recorded episode gave the presenters a much-needed trial run, with any clangers or awkward moments edited out, but there will be nowhere to hide once viewers are tuning in live.
The other major change was the way the celebrity-professional pairings were revealed. Rather than simply announcing each couple in a rehearsal segment, this year’s launch incorporated three choreographed group routines, with the partnerships revealed as part of the dancing.
It was an interesting change, and not one I hated. It was nice to see the celebs and pros all interact on stage, before discovering who they were partnered with. But it did make the show feel way too long, chopping and changing from training and dancing to interviews, giving the impression that the programme was almost being dragged out.
The celebrities found out their new partners on the show (Image: BBC)
As for which dancers stood out, I think it will be hard to tell until the live shows start next week. They were all full of nerves, and while some seemed more natural dancers, every fan of Strictly knows that a dark horse will always emerge later down the line. The 2026 line-up still seems like a weird mishmash of ‘celebs’ to me, but now that they have all had the chance to introduce themselves, I have slightly more faith in the casting process. Time will tell who will stand out.
It was hard to escape the feeling that Strictly 2026 itself has a bigger challenge ahead than the crop of celebrity dancers. This reboot has to become its own version of the show, not harking back too much to old performances or presenters. Now is the time for it to come into its own and prove the BBC knows what its viewers want. Sadly, I’m not sure this should include Josh Widdicombe.
