Katya Jones has shared her honest opinion on the all-new Strictly Come Dancing hosting line-up ahead of the 2026 series.
Earlier this year, the BBC dance competition unveiled Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as its new hosts, taking over from Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
The pair announced their departures back in October 2025, with Ms Daly having served as the face of Strictly since the show’s inception.
It’s not just in the hosting line-up that Strictly has undergone an overhaul either. Several pro dancers have departed the series, and the show’s logo and theme have had a makeover.
Katya Jones spoke exclusively to GB News at this year’s Tric Awards
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GB NEWS
The first few celebrities to join the line-up have already been confirmed, including reality star Dani Dyer and EastEnders legend Lacey Turner.
So speaking to GB News at this year’s Tric Awards, there was only one place to start with professional dancer Ms Jones.
Speaking of the upcoming series and her excitement, Ms Jones said: “It’s about four weeks for me as a professional dancer.
“So we’ll be in the rehearsal room getting all these beautiful dances for you. So yeah, it seems to come around very quickly.”
Johannes Radebe, Josh Widdicombe and Emma Willis have been unveiled as the new Strictly hosts
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BBC
Ms Jones confirmed there were a “lot of subtle changes happening” with the show, before addressing the show’s new-look presenting team directly.
“Look, obviously we don’t know how the new dynamics are going to work, but I’m pretty sure they’ve done all the chemistry tests, and it’s going to be fabulous,” she praised.
Turning her attention to Mr Radebe specifically, Ms Jones added: “I’m so happy for Johannes.
“And I think what’s (good) for us as well as professionals, what’s lovely, is to know that there is room for growth.
Katya Jones and Lewis Cope attended the Tric Awards 2026 together
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GETTY
“We’re not pigeonholed as just being a dancer. Because I think a professional dancer is one of the hardest things to overcome.”
While undoubtedly happy for Mr Radebe, there was one member of the Strictly family Ms Jones felt was hard done by.
“We’ve seen Janette (Manrara) moving on (and) doing a presenter’s job,” she continued, referring to the now-former It Takes Two star.
“And I’m really gutted for her because I think, in my eyes, she was always the perfect content contender for the job.”
Janette Manrara and Fleur East both left It Takes Two
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BBC
However, Ms Jones isn’t letting the disappointment of Ms Manrara missing out on the gig dampen her optimism for the new series.
“But don’t we all love Johannes? He’s just loved by the nation, so it’s beautiful to see.”
Ms Manrara and her It Takes Two co-host, Fleur East, both departed the franchise earlier this year, with the former Strictly pro taking to YouTube to address the changes.
Despite such an overhaul, Ms Jones is adamant that it won’t be detrimental to the future of the dance competition.
Katya Jones admitted she was ‘gutted’ Janette Manrara didn’t land a Strictly hosting role
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GB NEWS
“The way I look at it… We’ve had Brucie (Forsyth), and Brucie’s gone. We had Len (Goodman), Len’s gone…
“We had changes on the judge’s desk. Darcey (Bussell) left us, you know, Arlene (Phillips), and the show survived all of the changes because at its core, as long as people get to see people dancing, I think we’ll be okay.”