BREAKING NEWS: ‘I spotted Emma Willis’ cry for help and Strictly bosses need to make change’
TV body language and behaviour expert Judi James spotted a “cry for help” from Emma Willis during the Strictly Come Dancing launch show
Strictly Come Dancing is back with new hosts Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Emma Willis, Johnannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe made their Strictly Come Dancing presenting debut last weekend.
The trio hosted the pre-recorded launch show which aired on Saturday (September 19) and saw the 15 celebrity contestants get paired up with a professional dance partner.
The 2026 series marks the first time Strictly has been hosted by three presenters as the they take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down from their roles at the end of last year.
Fans were left divided on the new presenters and TV body language and behaviour expert Judi James has given her in-depth insight on the new format change.
Speaking on behalf of Paddy Power Bingo, Judi said: “When Emma, Johannes and Josh stepped out of the doorway of dry ice like contestants in Stars in their Eyes the lack of basic, easy-going choreography was obvious.
“Emma stood open-mouthed in a gesture of appropriate excitement but she ‘held’ Johannes’s upturned palm gingerly up in the air, hinting at a lack of pre-constructed easy rapport.
The trio made their presenting debut during the pre-recorded launch show which aired on Saturday(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
“Her hand clasp with Josh was held lower but it was still awkward looking, with Josh looking like a schoolboy being led through the gates at the start of the new term.
“The three-people hug looked equally awkward with that polite awkwardness suggesting these three just don’t know each other enough yet.”
Judi continued: “When Emma arrived on the actual dancefloor for the first time her rapport signals with the audience were as strong and perfect as ever. She raised one arm in a signal of self-effacing acknowledgment and friendship.
“This powerful tie-sign said ‘Yes, it’s me!’ and we immediately felt like old friends. There was a moment though when she looked straight into camera and her eye smile dipped for a second in what looked like an involuntary, micro ‘cry for help’.”
“All three hosts seem to be lovely people, but three people crushed on the small sofa on the balcony means no room for good, active body language from the presenters. When Emma was alone, she could at least relax and spread out.”
Body language expert Judi James said Emma “relaxed” when she hosted alone(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
During the programme, the presenters each took it in turns to host from the dancefloor while the other two chatted to cast members in the auditorium and Judi said bosses need to consider making this a permanent change going forward.
Judi said: “Three-way charisma or chemistry is impossible to achieve, and Emma is having to display her own pitch-perfect skills while coping with Josh and Johannes. You only need to see how much more comfortable the moments are when the group is split and just two of them sitting doing interviews while the other is down in the studio.
“Perhaps the main show will see this two-one split in place so that two of them can get down to the serious job of building up their on-screen chemistry, if not I would fear one of the three might not have a long journey on the show.
“For the audience the challenge of eye-following three people is exhausting. There’s no ability to see bonds growing and to anticipate reactions or see them build jokes, which is how good double acts work.”
