Emma Willis has revealed she spent years desperately hoping to join Strictly Come Dancing as a contestant — long before she was dramatically unveiled as one of the show’s brand-new hosts.
The BBC confirmed this week that Emma, 50, will front the next era of Strictly alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe following the emotional exit of longtime presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
But months before landing one of the biggest jobs on British television, Emma admitted she had repeatedly tried to get onto the iconic dance competition herself.
In a resurfaced interview from February, the presenter confessed: “I am a huge Strictly fan. I’ve wanted to do the show multiple times and I’ve never been able to do it. So, I’m a fan.”
At the time, Emma insisted she had absolutely no idea she would eventually become part of the show’s huge relaunch.
Speaking to BBC Midlands, she said: “If you google ‘Strictly’, there’s not a presenter in the country that you won’t find connected to being the new presenter in the last few months.
“I am just one of many that are rumoured. I absolutely do not have that job. I don’t have that job, I have not been offered it, no.”
Still, she hinted just how impossible the opportunity would be to turn down, adding: “I don’t think there’s anybody in the country that would say no to it.”
Now, just a few months later, Emma has officially stepped into the glittering Strictly spotlight in what many fans are calling one of the BBC’s boldest shake-ups in years.
The presenter — who previously fronted shows including Big Brother and Love Is Blind UK alongside husband Matt Willis — admitted she still can’t believe the role is real.
Emma said: “It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Strictly – I’ve cheered and danced along from my sofa for years – so to be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can’t quite comprehend.”
She also paid tribute to Tess and Claudia, calling them “two wonderful, iconic women” who had been “the beating heart of Strictly for so long.”
Emma added: “I can only hope that we are able to help to steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter.”
Meanwhile, Johannes’ promotion from professional dancer to presenter has already sparked emotional reactions among fans after he broke down in tears on stage following the announcement.
The BBC confirmed the new presenting trio with a dramatic Instagram post captioned simply: “It’s official….September 2026.”
