Strictly presenter Emma Willis tried multiple times to be a contestant on the show
Emma Willis has revealed she tried to be a contestant on the BBC Latin and Ballroom dance competition "many times" before she landed the prestigious hosting job.
Emma Willis tried "many times" to be a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing before she landed the hotly contested presenter gig.
The 50-year-old star adores BBC Latin and Ballroom dance show, so she was thrilled to have been picked alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe for one of the top jobs in TV, after Tess Daly, 57, and Claudia Winkleman, 54, quit last year.
Speaking to BBC West Midlands in February, Emma said: "I'm a huge Strictly fan. I've wanted to do the show multiple times, and I've never been able to do it."
At the time of the interview, Strictly Come Dancing bosses had not offered Emma the prestigious hosting job.
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 at some point over the last few months.
"I'm just one of many that are rumoured, and I absolutely do not have that job. I have not been offered it.
"I don't think there's anybody in the country that would say no to it. Maybe Ant [McPartlin] and Dec [Donnelly], they might say no. They don't really need it."
But on Tuesday (19.05.26), the BBC announced that Emma, Josh, 43, and Johannes, 39, came out on top against the likes of Zoe Ball, 55, Rylan Clark, 37, and Sara Cox, 51, in presenter auditions last month.
And Emma cannot "quite comprehend" that she was selected.
The star said in a statement: "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.
"It’s impossible to fill the shoes that Tess and Claudia have left behind - two wonderful, iconic women who have been the beating heart of Strictly for so long.
"I can only hope that we are able to help to steer the ship as beautifully as they have, into this new chapter. I can’t wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and the judges. Fingers crossed for a 10 from them!"
Josh took part in the 2024 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, and he feels "overawed" to now be co-fronting the programme.
The comic said: "Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point, so I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television.
"I adore Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them. I’ll dust off the penguin costume."
Johannes has been a pro on Strictly Come Dancing since 2018, and he feels "deeply honoured" to have a new job on the programme.
He said: "To be returning to Strictly Come Dancing in this new role is beyond anything I ever imagined. This show has always stood for joy, heart, and togetherness, and I feel deeply honoured to now help carry that magic forward.
"To do it alongside the formidable Emma Willis and the utterly brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special. I’m ready-sequins, nerves, and all...please bear with me. Love Jojo."
