UNBELIEVABLE! Claudia Winkleman issues one-word verdict on Strictly replacement
Former Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman has shared her verdict on Emma Willis after watching the presenter make her debut on the BBC ballroom show.
Emma officially took over presenting duties during Saturday night’s launch alongside comedian Josh Widdicombe and former professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
The trio replaced Claudia and Tess Daly, who stepped down from Strictly at the end of 2025 after years at the heart of the programme.
Following the launch show, Emma shared a series of backstage pictures on Instagram showing off her sparkly gown and slicked-back hairstyle.
She wrote: “Week one… I guess it’s officially happening then. Dress on, game face ready and fully prepared for the glitter to take over… Strictly, let’s be having you.”
Claudia quickly appeared in the comments with a simple but emphatic response, describing Emma as a “knockout”.
Claudia Throws Support Behind Emma
Claudia’s comment was one of several messages of support Emma received after her first night fronting the show.
Radio presenter Chris Stark praised her performance, writing: “Just so so brilliant. It was like you’ve always been there.”
He added: “Congratulations Emma! The show is in safe hands with you.”
Gok Wan and Alison Hammond also left supportive messages, both praising Emma’s appearance.
Strictly professional Lauren Oakley called her “beautiful”.
The warm reaction from Claudia was particularly notable given that Emma is one of the presenters stepping into the role she and Tess held for so long.
Claudia became the programme’s main co-host in 2014 after replacing Bruce Forsyth and remained one of Strictly’s most familiar faces until leaving alongside Tess.
Craig Revel Horwood Also Gives His Verdict
Claudia was not the only established Strictly figure to react positively to the new presenting team.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood was asked for his opinion during the launch show.
His verdict was brief.
“Fabulous,” he said.
The response reflected some of the more positive reaction to the programme’s new era, particularly towards Emma, who received strong praise from viewers and fellow television personalities.
Viewers More Divided Over Josh and Johannes
While Emma appeared to win over many viewers immediately, reaction to Josh and Johannes proved more mixed.
One viewer questioned the BBC’s decision to appoint Josh, while praising Emma’s performance.
“Why on earth did the BBC choose Josh Widdicombe?” they wrote.
They added: “Emma Willis did a fab job all round and looked beautiful.”
Another viewer was less convinced by Johannes’s switch from professional dancer to presenter.
“Johannes should’ve stuck to the dancing because he isn’t a good presenter at all,” they wrote.
The same fan praised Emma, saying she was “smashing it as usual”, while admitting they were still unsure about Josh.
A third viewer also suggested Emma had made the strongest first impression.
“I definitely want Emma Willis to stay, she’s great,” they wrote.
They added that between Josh and Johannes, they currently preferred Josh as a presenter, while saying they would continue watching to see how the trio developed.
New Strictly Era Begins
The 2026 launch marked a major change for Strictly Come Dancing.
Alongside the new presenting team, viewers watched this year’s celebrity contestants discover their professional partners as the series officially got underway.
For Emma, the episode represented the beginning of one of the biggest presenting jobs of her career.
And while viewers remain divided over how the three-host format will work, Claudia’s reaction made one thing clear: she appears fully behind her successor.
After years spent presenting the BBC favourite herself, Claudia’s one-word description of Emma — “knockout” — gave the new host a glowing seal of approval as Strictly begins its next chapter.
