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Strictly Come Dancing judge teases chemistry "off the charts" between 2 of the 3 new presenters - and reveals 5 new professionals on the way
The Strictly head judge has teased a major shake-up in the ballroom.
BBC/Ray Burmiston
- Morgan Jeffery
Published: Wednesday, 20 May 2026 at 2:37 pm
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Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has teased "off the charts" chemistry between two of the show's three new presenters, while also revealing that five new professional dancers are on the way.
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The BBC confirmed yesterday that Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe will front the next season of Strictly, following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
The announcement marked a major shake-up for the long-running entertainment series, with Radebe stepping away from the professional dancer line-up to join Willis and Widdicombe as part of a new presenting trio.
Speaking to The Sun, head judge Ballas admitted that even she had not expected three names to be announced.
"I met Josh for the first time this week, he's a charming chap," she said. "Emma, of course, I did Cooking With The Stars with – that's a seasoned presenter and just a gorgeous lady.
"And who doesn't love some Johannes? We all love him.
"It's going to be interesting because we thought we were getting two but we ended up with three."
Ballas went on to suggest that Willis and Widdicombe already have a strong dynamic, adding: "But the chemistry between Emma and Josh, I'm told, is off the charts. So let's see."
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. BBC/Guy Levy
The new line-up follows Daly and Winkleman's final season in the ballroom, bringing an end to one of TV's most familiar presenting partnerships.
Willis is best known for her work on Big Brother and The Voice UK, while comedian Widdicombe has appeared regularly across panel shows including The Last Leg, Hypothetical and QI.
Radebe, meanwhile, has been one of Strictly's most popular professional dancers since joining the show, reaching the final with John Whaite in 2021 and later fronting his own stage shows.
Shirley Ballas. BBC/Ray Burmiston
Ballas also revealed that the change in hosts will not be the only major refresh for the new season, confirming that five new professional dancers are joining the show.
"I think everybody is going to enjoy the new series," she said. "We got five new professionals coming in, some fantastic dancers.
"All in all, it's having tweaks left, right and centre and it's getting a new face!"
The new additions to the professional line-up follow a period of change for Strictly, with a number of familiar faces departing ahead of the show's return later this year.
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on catch-up on BBC iPlayer.
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Authors
Morgan Jeffery
Morgan Jeffery is as a TV and Film expert and has appeared on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live and Sky Atlantic.
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