The new Strictly Come Dancing presenting team has faced a wave of early-season criticism as the 2026 series moves forward with its revamped lineup. Long-standing judge Craig Revel Horwood has addressed the scrutiny facing the new hosting trio, which has been under the spotlight since the season began.
The 24th series of the ballroom competition has undergone its most significant structural change in years following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The new hosting trio—consisting of Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and former professional dancer Johannes Radebe—has faced intense public and media pressure during the transition to a three-person format.
The pressure follows a notable dip in viewership during the opening weeks of the 2026 series. According to reporting from The Standard, the first live results show of the current season drew 4.5 million viewers, a significant decrease from the 6.2 million recorded for the equivalent episode in 2025.
The Challenges of the “Intensity”
Widdicombe himself has been candid about the transition from comedy to the high-stakes environment of a live elimination show. During an appearance on It Takes Two on October 8, the presenter admitted that the emotional weight of the competition was more difficult than he had anticipated. He described the experience of the first elimination as “terrible” and “intense,” noting that he had not fully realized how difficult it would be to navigate those moments on air.
The move to shift Radebe from the dance floor to a hosting role has remained a point of contention for some fans who prefer him as a professional competitor. Horwood has been firm on this front, previously telling those calling for a reversal to “Get over it!” as the show explores its new dynamic.
Despite the ratings pressure and the “rocky start” cited by some commentators, the judging panel has remained publicly united in support of the change. Horwood’s stance suggests a belief within the production that the chemistry of the new trio will solidify as the 2026 series progresses toward the Blackpool and final stages.
