Fans praise Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe’s on-screen chemistry as the new presenting line-up continues to divide opinion.
Strictly Come Dancing viewers have called on BBC producers to rethink the show’s presenting arrangements after Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe impressed fans with their first Results Show pairing.
The Sunday, October 4, 2026, broadcast saw Emma and Johannes discuss the previous night’s performances with the judges, prompting enthusiastic reactions from viewers who wanted to see more of the duo working together.
The response comes as Josh Widdicombe, Emma and Johannes settle into their new roles following the departures of longtime presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Their early appearances have attracted plenty of attention, with audiences still weighing up the changes to the popular BBC dance competition.
Strictly fans want more of Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe
Emma and Johannes’ opening segment quickly became a talking point on social media. Several viewers praised their rapport and suggested the pair should have a more prominent role in the main show.
One viewer wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “JoJo and Emma finally presenting together. Now can we have them downstairs on the main show please.”
Another was equally enthusiastic about the combination, writing: “Emma Willis & Johannes Radebe are the only presenters the show needs. A respected individual with years of presenting on her CV & a fantastic dancer with charisma & enthusiasm flowing out of his pores #Strictly”
A third viewer also felt the pairing worked particularly well, arguing that the duo had established a stronger connection in just a few minutes than Josh had managed during his first two weeks on the programme.
“This is showing that it should be just Emma and Johannes they’ve had more Chemistry in a few minutes then two weeks of Josh. Emma upstairs and Johannes,” the viewer posted.
The comments highlighted a clear preference among some fans for seeing Emma and Johannes work together more regularly, particularly during the main programme rather than limiting their partnership to the Results Show.
Josh Widdicombe divides opinion again
The presenting arrangements changed as Sunday’s programme continued. After Emma left the Clauditorium to announce the results of the public vote, Josh took her place alongside Johannes to speak with the celebrities.
The switch prompted another mixed response from viewers. While some continued to question whether Josh was the right fit for the main show, others were supportive of the comedian and his contribution to the new line-up.
One viewer who liked Josh’s work nevertheless suggested that he might be better suited to the companion programme, It Takes Two.
“Absolutely love Josh widdicombe but I feel like he should be on it takes too, he feels a little outta place on the main show,” they wrote.
However, not everyone agreed that the presenting changes had been a mistake. One fan suggested the programme had benefited from the departure of its previous hosts, posting: “I’ve never thought I’d say it, but @bbcstrictly is better without Tess and Claudia. It seems like it’s got a new lease of life with the new presenters. #strictly.”
Another viewer also backed Josh, writing: “#Strictly Josh is so much Better up there…”
The reactions suggest that while some viewers are already championing Emma and Johannes as a presenting partnership, others are warming to Josh’s role in the revamped format.
Chris Appleton becomes the first celebrity to leave
Away from the presenting debate, Sunday’s Results Show delivered the first elimination of the 2026 competition.
Chris Appleton became the first celebrity contestant to leave Strictly Come Dancing after the judges reached a unanimous decision to send him home.
Jaime Winstone, meanwhile, secured another week in the competition. Her Cha Cha to Pretty Women won the votes, allowing the actress to continue her journey on the dance floor.
The result also marked the second consecutive year in which Amy Dowden was the first professional dancer to be eliminated from the competition. In the previous series, she exited alongside The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner.
With the new presenting team continuing to attract contrasting reactions, the coming weeks will show whether the BBC sticks with its current arrangements or responds to viewers’ calls for more of Emma and Johannes together.