BREAKING: Emma Willis ‘nervous’ ahead of Strictly Come Dancing’s first live show
Emma Willis has admitted she is feeling the pressure ahead of her first live Strictly Come Dancing show as the BBC favourite enters one of the biggest new eras in its history.
The 50-year-old presenter will front Saturday night’s first live episode of the 2026 series alongside Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
The trio have taken over from long-serving presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, whose departures were confirmed last year.
For Emma, the move has already proved far more overwhelming than she expected — despite more than two decades working in television.
Emma Left ‘Speechless’ by Strictly Scale
Emma admitted that seeing Strictly from inside the studio has been completely different to watching the finished programme at home.
“The sheer scale of it – it’s humungous,” she said.
“You watch it on telly and see how amazing it looks and how beautiful the dancers move but seeing it in person is just a whole other level!”
She said one of the biggest surprises had been witnessing the sheer amount of work that goes into producing the programme.
From the crew and production teams to the professional dancers, Emma admitted she was stunned by the effort happening behind the scenes.
“Witnessing the work ethic of the crew, of the production team, of the dancers and watching everything in real life – it’s hypnotic,” she said.
“Seeing everything come together for the launch show left me quite speechless.”
Launch Show Felt Like a ‘Fever Dream’
Emma has already completed one major milestone after presenting the pre-recorded launch show, where the celebrities discovered their professional partners.
But even that experience felt surreal.
“It was like a fever dream!” she admitted.
Emma described it as “the longest but fastest day” of her life.
The long part, she explained, came from the anticipation, nerves and excitement before filming began.
Once the cameras started rolling, however, everything seemed to happen incredibly quickly.
“From the moment we started recording that evening, the only way I can describe it was… I was in the actual telly!” she said.
Emma acknowledged the irony, given that she has spent more than 20 years presenting television programmes.
But Strictly still felt different.
“It felt so surreal to be inside ‘Strictly’!” she said.
“It was so much fun and the audience were so welcoming, they kept saying ‘you’re doing so well!’ – thank goodness!”
She summed up the experience as “a true whirlwind”.
Huge Change After Tess and Claudia Exit
The 2026 series marks a major shake-up for Strictly Come Dancing.
Tess Daly had presented the programme since its launch in 2004, while Claudia Winkleman joined the presenting team in 2010.
Their departures left two enormous gaps to fill.
After months of speculation, the BBC confirmed Emma, Josh and Johannes as the new presenting line-up.
The change means viewers are now getting used to a three-person hosting team for the first time.
Emma also faces an unusual television schedule, with her pre-recorded episodes of The Voice UK airing while she simultaneously fronts live editions of Strictly.
Emma Admits She Is ‘Nervous for Sure’
With the launch episode behind her, Emma’s attention has now turned to the first live broadcast.
And she is not pretending to be completely relaxed.
“I’m feeling nervous for sure,” she admitted.
However, Emma said she had recently been told that nerves and excitement can essentially feel the same — with the difference depending on how someone interprets the emotion.
That idea has helped her rethink the pressure.
“A little bit of nerves because it keeps you on your toes, and it means you care,” she said.
“And then bucket loads of excitement.”
‘Who Knows What’s Going to Happen?’
Emma also revealed that one of the things she is most looking forward to is returning to live television.
Unlike the launch episode, Saturday’s show will unfold in real time, leaving far less room for mistakes or second chances.
But that unpredictability is part of the attraction.
“I’ve also missed presenting live telly so I can’t wait,” Emma said.
“Who knows what’s going to happen?!”
With a new presenting trio, a fresh celebrity cast and the first live performances about to begin, Saturday night will represent the real start of the new Strictly era.
For Emma, it will also be the moment when weeks of anticipation finally give way to the pressure — and excitement — of live television.
