The latest launch of Strictly Come Dancing saw a new hosting team take to the stage, featuring Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe. While the debut episode saw a slight increase in peak viewership compared to the previous year, the figures have not yet delivered the significant boost BBC executives had anticipated. The revamped line-up also faced audience questions regarding the three-presenter format.
Strictly Launch Night Viewership Figures
Overnight ratings for the pre-recorded launch show on Saturday indicated a peak viewership of 5.8 million. This represents a marginal increase from the 5.6 million peak recorded during last year’s launch. The average viewership for the launch show was 5.4 million, mirroring last year’s average.
However, these figures remain considerably lower than those achieved in years prior to a series of controversies that affected the show. In 2023, before the controversies, the Strictly launch show peaked at 6.7 million viewers and averaged 6.3 million. BBC executives had hoped that the introduction of a new hosting team and a refreshed format would re-engage viewers who may have drifted away from the program.
New Hosting Team Takes the Reins
Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe have stepped into the hosting roles, succeeding Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who departed the show at the conclusion of the 2025 series. The launch episode featured the professional dancers, including five new additions, alongside the judges and the new presenting trio. The 15 celebrity contestants were also paired with their professional partners for the upcoming competition.
Josh Widdicombe acknowledged the pressure of the new role, expressing excitement mixed with nerves during the broadcast. Emma Willis shared her enthusiasm for embarking on the 13-week journey with the audience.
Audience Reaction to the New Format
Social media platforms saw immediate reactions to the new presenting team. Emma Willis received considerable praise, with many viewers commending her performance and style. However, the decision to employ a three-presenter format drew criticism from some viewers who described it as “awkward and forced.” Comments on social media questioned the necessity of three hosts, with one user stating, “Why does it need 3 presenters? It just doesn’t work.” Josh Widdicombe also faced some critique, with a portion of the audience feeling he appeared “out of his depth” during the show.
Competitive Viewing Landscape
In a strategic scheduling move, ITV adjusted the start time of its program, The Voice, to avoid a direct clash with the Strictly Come Dancing launch. The Voice began at 6:10 PM, earlier than its usual 7:00 PM slot, while Strictly commenced at 7:25 PM. Despite this adjustment, The Voice, which Emma Willis also hosts, did not achieve comparable viewership numbers. The singing competition peaked at 2 million viewers and averaged 1.6 million, marking a decrease from the previous week. This decline occurred amidst reports of controversy surrounding the departure of coach Tom Jones from the show.
Emma Willis found herself simultaneously appearing on two major primetime programs on Saturday, contributing to a combined audience of approximately 7 million viewers across both shows. Sources noted that her simultaneous presence on BBC One and ITV1 was a significant achievement for a seasoned presenter like Willis. While acknowledging the potentially awkward situation for Willis, insiders suggested that Strictly Come Dancing, being the larger program, was expected to draw a substantially larger audience.
Looking Ahead
The first live show of the new Strictly Come Dancing series is scheduled to air next Saturday at 6:15 PM on BBC One and will be available on BBC iPlayer. The upcoming weeks will reveal whether the new hosting team and format can sustain and grow the show’s viewership against its competition and in the wake of past controversies.
