“WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO STRICTLY?” VIEWERS REACT TO TESS AND CLAUDIA’S REPLACEMENTS

Strictly Come Dancing has entered a new era — but some viewers are already asking whether the BBC has changed too much.

The 2026 series marks the first time the ballroom has been presented without longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who both departed after the previous series.

In their place are Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and former professional dancer Johannes Radebe.

The new trio made their debut on September 19, before returning for the first live show on September 26.

And viewers have certainly had plenty to say.

“THIS IS JUST NOT THE SAME”

The reaction began almost immediately after the new presenting team appeared on screen.

Some Strictly viewers admitted they were struggling to adjust to seeing someone other than Tess and Claudia at the helm.

One viewer wrote: “Never thought I’d say this, but I miss Tess…”

Another said: “This is just not the same! I miss Tess and Claudia.”

Others questioned the decision to replace the traditional two-presenter format with three hosts, with one viewer simply asking: “Why do we need 3 presenters?”

The comments reflected the difficulty of replacing two presenters who had become closely associated with the programme.

Tess had fronted Strictly for many years, while Claudia became particularly associated with the Saturday-night results and backstage segments.

Their departure therefore represented a major change for regular viewers.

BUT NOT EVERYONE WANTS THE OLD TEAM BACK

Despite the criticism, there was also plenty of support for the new presenters.

Emma Willis in particular attracted positive comments, with one viewer calling her a “natural successor to Tess.”

Others praised all three presenters and urged audiences to give them time to settle into their new roles.

One fan wrote that viewers should “give them a chance”, pointing out that the first episode was only the beginning of their new Strictly journey.

The Guardian’s review of the launch was also broadly positive, describing the new presenters as visibly excited and suggesting that their enthusiasm helped give the programme a fresh feel.

So while nostalgia for Tess and Claudia was obvious, the reaction was far from universally negative.

JOSH WIDDICOMBE BECOMES THE FOCUS OF THE DEBATE

After the first live show, however, much of the online conversation shifted towards Josh Widdicombe.

Viewers noticed that he appeared nervous while presenting alongside Emma and Johannes.

Some questioned whether he fitted naturally into the Strictly format, while others criticised his delivery and on-screen presence.

One viewer complained that he looked “out of place”, while another questioned again why the programme needed three presenters.

There were also complaints about his apparent nervousness during the live broadcast.

The criticism became strong enough that some viewers posted that they were considering switching off.

However, those reactions represented individual social-media comments rather than an official assessment of Widdicombe’s performance.

THE AUTOCUE MOMENT ADDS TO THE SCRUTINY

Josh had already attracted attention during the launch show when viewers noticed what appeared to be him silently following parts of Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe’s autocue lines.

The moment quickly became another talking point online.

Some viewers described the habit as awkward, while others treated it simply as evidence that the comedian was still finding his feet in a brand-new role.

The additional scrutiny is perhaps unsurprising.

Unlike Emma Willis, who has extensive television presenting experience, and Johannes Radebe, who already had years of experience within the Strictly environment as a professional dancer, Widdicombe is entering a very different type of television role.

JOSH HAS RESPONDED TO THE REACTION

Following his debut, Widdicombe spoke about the experience on the Parenting Hell podcast.

Rather than focusing on the criticism, he said he had enjoyed the experience and praised his new co-hosts.

He described Emma and Johannes as a “joy” and said he had been having a great time.

The comedian also revealed that around 20 friends had gathered at his home to watch the pre-recorded launch — although a poor internet connection meant he struggled to hear the programme properly.

His comments suggested that, despite the online reaction, he remains enthusiastic about continuing with the show.

THE FIRST LIVE SHOW STILL ATTRACTED MILLIONS

The controversy surrounding the new presenting team has not prevented Strictly from drawing a substantial television audience.

The BBC said the first live show of the 2026 series attracted an average audience of 4.8 million viewers, with a peak of five million.

The programme was also reported by the BBC as the most-watched programme of the night.

Those figures do not reveal how viewers felt about the new presenters, but they do show that the programme continues to attract millions of people despite the major presenting change.

A VERY DIFFERENT STRICTLY

The changes go beyond simply replacing two familiar faces.

For the first time, the programme now has a three-person presenting team consisting of a television presenter, a comedian and a former professional dancer.

Johannes has also taken on some of the duties previously associated with Claudia, including speaking to contestants after their performances.

That restructuring has inevitably changed the rhythm of the programme.

Some viewers appear to be enjoying the fresh energy.

Others are still adjusting.

And some remain unconvinced by the new format.

“GIVE THEM A CHANCE”

For now, it is too early to know how audiences will ultimately respond to the new team.

The first episodes have produced a mixture of nostalgia, criticism, praise and curiosity.

Emma Willis has received significant positive attention, while Josh Widdicombe has faced a more divided response.

Johannes Radebe has also had to step into a completely different role after years as one of the show’s professional dancers.

The presenters themselves are therefore learning a new dynamic at the same time viewers are learning to watch Strictly differently.

THE STRICTLY ERA HAS CHANGED

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are no longer standing at the centre of the Strictly ballroom.

Instead, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe are beginning what could become a very different chapter for the BBC favourite.

Some viewers are already asking for the old presenters back.

Others are telling fellow fans to give the new team time.

And after the first live show, one thing is clear:

the Strictly audience has noticed the change — and they are not shy about talking about it.

The new presenters now have the rest of the 2026 series to establish their own rhythm, chemistry and identity in one of Britain’s most recognisable television shows.