“END OF AN ERA” Fuming Strictly fans switch off minutes after Tess and Claudia replacements make debut
Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left divided just minutes into the 2026 launch show as Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe made their debut as the programme’s new presenting trio.
The BBC competition returned on Saturday night, September 19, for the first series since longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down.
Their departure paved the way for one of the biggest shake-ups in Strictly history, with Emma, Josh and former professional dancer Johannes taking over presenting duties.
Several professional dancers have also left the programme, while the celebrity pairing format was changed so contestants discovered their partners on the ballroom floor.
The launch began with a large dance routine featuring the cast before the three new presenters officially welcomed viewers.
However, some fans were far from convinced.
Viewers Admit They Switched Off
Within minutes of the show beginning, a number of viewers took to X to criticise the new presenting line-up.
One wrote: “Five minutes in and Widdecombe has already p***ed me off.”
Another viewer claimed they had already changed channels, writing: “I used to like Strictly Come Dancing but what’s happened to it?”
They went on to criticise the three-presenter format before declaring: “I switched off.”
Others focused specifically on Josh’s debut.
One viewer posted: “#Strictly those presenters are simply awful. Poor Josh looks so awkward. Totally wrong and off-putting! Josh has to stop laughing.”
Another warned: “#Strictly, anybody expecting Josh Widdecombe to be funny, switch over now!”
A further viewer joked: “Why is Austin Powers presenting Strictly Come Dancing? BBC time to turn over!”
The comments represent individual social-media reactions rather than the response of the entire audience, but they showed how quickly some longtime fans reacted to the major change.
Celebrity Line-Up Also Comes Under Fire
The presenters were not the only part of the revamped programme facing criticism.
Some viewers complained that they did not recognise enough of the celebrity contestants.
One person wrote: “So have we run out of ‘celebs’ and we need to get ‘content creators’ on instead?”
They added: “Think I know about four in this group. Terrible.”
The new celebrities were introduced during the launch before learning which professional dancers they would compete alongside.
For the first time, the pairings were revealed during routines on the ballroom floor as judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood looked on.
Body Language Expert Spots Josh’s ‘Panic’
Josh’s first appearance was also analysed by body language expert Inbaal Honigman, who offered her interpretation of how the three presenters appeared on screen.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, she claimed Emma appeared to be taking the lead.
“Emma is carrying the presenter duties almost single-handedly, and they all know it,” she said.
Honigman suggested Josh was still adjusting to the pressure of the role.
“As Josh gets used to the new job, he is panicking internally,” she claimed.
She interpreted the way Josh positioned himself beside Emma as a possible sign that he was relying on her.
“When the three stand together, Josh leans towards Emma, showing that he is depending on her,” Honigman said.
She also suggested he appeared focused on getting through the script rather than completely relaxing into the role.
“Josh is doing his best to stick to the script,” she added.
Her comments are a body-language interpretation and do not establish Josh’s actual thoughts or emotional state.
Emma and Johannes Receive More Positive Assessment
Honigman offered a very different interpretation of Emma and Johannes.
She described Johannes as “having the time of his life” and suggested his posture showed enthusiasm about taking on the new role.
Emma, meanwhile, was described as appearing far more comfortable with the presenting duties.
“Emma in charge,” Honigman said, adding that she appeared aware she was “carrying the boys” and seemed comfortable doing so.
“She stands strong, shoulders square with confidence and head held high,” she added.
Honigman suggested Emma’s previous presenting experience gave her an advantage during the trio’s first show together.
“She knows her way around a presenting job, so even though this is new, it’s not too scary.”
New Strictly Era Gets a Bumpy Start
Replacing Tess and Claudia was always likely to attract intense scrutiny after years of viewers becoming accustomed to their partnership.
Emma, Josh and Johannes now face the challenge of developing their own chemistry while fronting one of the BBC’s biggest entertainment programmes.
The launch show demonstrated just how closely every moment of their debut would be examined.
While some viewers were quick to criticise Josh and the new format, others will have the rest of the series to decide whether the trio can settle into their new roles.
For now, though, the beginning of Strictly’s new era has certainly given fans plenty to talk about.
