Strictly Star Calls For Major Judging Shake-Up As BBC Comeback Talk Gathers Pace
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has called for another major shake-up on the BBC show, arguing that the judging panel should also have been refreshed for the 2026 series.
The competition has already undergone one of its biggest transformations in years, with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman replaced by a new three-person presenting team and several new professional dancers joining the ballroom.
But James believes producers stopped short of changing one area that could have benefited from a rethink — the judges’ desk.
Speaking via WhichBingo, the former Strictly star described the current panel as a little too “wishy-washy” and suggested it could be “stronger”.
James Says Judging Panel Needed a Shake-Up
Asked whether he would ever consider returning to Strictly for a potential all-star series, James made clear that dancing would not be his preferred role.
“No, I would go on the judging panel,” he said.
He then argued that, given the scale of the changes already made to the programme, producers could also have reconsidered the existing judges.
“I think the judging panel should have been shaken up a little bit as well, if they’re going to make all of these changes,” James said.
“I find the judging panel a little bit wishy-washy for me. I think that could be a bit stronger.”
The 2026 series has retained its familiar judging line-up while making major changes elsewhere.
New Presenting Trio Leaves James With Questions
James was more positive about new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, although he admitted he still does not fully understand why the show now needs three presenters.
He said the trio had done a “great job” so far and was particularly complimentary about Emma.
“I’m not 100% sure why they have three presenters,” he admitted.
“But hopefully once the show actually starts, it’ll start to make more sense.”
James said the launch episode had not yet convinced him that a three-person presenting team was necessary.
“I felt in the launch show, I didn’t really get why they needed three,” he explained.
“I didn’t understand why they needed three presenters.”
Despite those doubts, he was full of praise for Emma.
“Emma at the helm of the show, she’s perfect for the job,” he said.
James Defends Arrival of New Professional Dancers
The professional line-up has also changed significantly this year.
Five new dancers have joined the programme following the departure of established favourites including Karen Hauer, Gorka Márquez and Nadiya Bychkova.
James said he understands why longtime professionals eventually have to make way for the next generation.
“You have to let the younger generation come and take over, you hand the baton over to these new pros,” he said.
He argued that change is an unavoidable part of the programme, even when viewers have formed strong attachments to familiar faces.
“It’s great having pros on the show that you know and can relate to, but at some point, you have to hang up your dance shoes and go, ‘you know what, let someone else have a go’.”
James pointed out that the same principle applied when he first joined Strictly himself.
“When I came on the show, someone was obviously not asked back, and I took their position,” he said.
‘Someone Else Is Going to Take Over’
The former professional said dancers eventually have to accept when their time on the programme has come to an end.
“My feeling is at some point I have to accept that I’m no longer going to be on the show and someone else is going to take over,” he explained.
He added that he expects this year’s new professionals to perform strongly.
“I’m sure the pros this year are all going to do a fantastic job.”
James also highlighted Alexis Warr as an example of how a fresh addition can quickly make an impact, praising her contribution to the previous series.
Strictly Enters a Very Different Era
The 2026 series has already marked a dramatic changing of the guard.
With Tess and Claudia gone, Emma, Josh and Johannes are now leading the programme, while a new generation of dancers is beginning to establish itself.
James appears comfortable with those changes, even if he believes the same willingness to refresh the format should have extended to the judging panel.
For him, the arrival and departure of professional dancers is simply part of the natural cycle of the show.
But when it comes to the judges, he thinks Strictly could still have gone further.
As the new series settles into its live shows, James’s comments add another question to the debate surrounding the BBC’s overhaul: whether the biggest remaining change is still sitting behind the judges’ desk.
