Emma Willis has confessed to feeling anxious ahead of her debut presenting Strictly Come Dancing, expressing concern that audience expectations have been set unrealistically high.
The television presenter, who will front the BBC ballroom competition alongside Josh Widdicombe and former professional dancer Johannes Radebe, opened up about her fears during a BBC Radio 2 appearance.
“Do you know what worries me?” she asked Mr Widdicombe. “A few things I’ve read recently is that people go, well, people are going, ‘The chemistry was off the charts.’
“I’m like, don’t set it that far, the bar that high, because then we’ve got nowhere to go!”
Emma Willis was confirmed as one of Strictly’s new presenters | GETTY
Ms Willis suggested a more modest starting point would be preferable: “Yeah, go, ‘They all got on really well.’ Start there.”
Despite her concerns, she remained optimistic, adding: “But what fun we’re going to have.”
Mr Widdicombe shared his co-host’s sense of being overwhelmed by the magnitude of their new role.
“I know, I’m so excited,” he said. “I know this sounds weird, because obviously it is a bit huge, and you know it’s huge, but you don’t realise how huge it is.
“So you haven’t even been on it yet, and that’s all the people in the street talk to you about.”
Ms Willis revealed that public encounters about the show leave her feeling daunted rather than thrilled.
“Yeah, I keep going, ‘Yeah, thanks’ and they’re like, ‘Are you excited?’ I’m like, ‘I’m terrified’,” she admitted.
The presenting trio were announced in May, taking over from the long-standing partnership of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly filmed their final BBC Strictly episode last year | BBC
Ms Winkleman and Ms Daly revealed their decision to step down in October last year, timing their exit to coincide with the conclusion of the 2025 series.
The pair, who had become synonymous with the Saturday night programme, explained that departing together had always been their intention.
“We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream,” they stated in a joint Instagram announcement. “We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.”
The outgoing presenters expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the production.
“We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show,” they continued.
“They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day.”
The 2026 series has already begun to take shape, with four celebrities confirmed for the upcoming competition.
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, known for his work with high-profile clients, will be taking to the dance floor alongside EastEnders actress Lacey Turner.
Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem has also committed to the BBC programme, joining former Love Island star Dani Dyer in the celebrity line-up.
Further contestants are expected to be announced in the coming weeks as the show prepares for its autumn launch.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One, with Ms Willis, Mr Widdicombe and Mr Radebe set to guide viewers through what promises to be a new era for the long-running entertainment programme.