Emma Willis has spoken candidly about her readiness to face criticism as she embarks on her role as a host of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The Birmingham-born presenter, 50, will lead the popular dance competition’s upcoming series, which kicks off on Saturday, 19 September. She will be joined by Johannes Radebe, a former Strictly professional dancer aged 39, and 43-year-old comedian Josh Widdicombe.
This fresh presenting team takes over from well-known hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who surprised viewers by stepping down last year.
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Emma, whose television credentials include hosting Big Brother, The Voice, The Circle and Love Is Blind, acknowledged the inevitable comparisons she will face, sharing her thoughts in a conversation with the Press Association and various media outlets.
“I’m ready for the comparisons,” she said. “I am ready for the negative opinions that can come with these things, but on the flip side, there are always positives as well.
“At the end of the day, it’s really simple. We work in this industry, and we’ve been given the opportunity to work on a phenomenal show that is really well loved by the public and by ourselves,” she added.
As a mother of three and patron of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Charity, Emma emphasised the presenters’ intention to keep the focus on entertaining the audience, rather than attempting to drastically change the show.
“We aren’t reinventing the wheel, and we’re not rocket scientists. We’re working on an entertainment show about dancing that is meant to hopefully bring joy to everyone watching it.
“So hopefully we can be a small part of that joy and have a really lovely time doing it.
“There’s obviously a kind of fear that comes with it because of the enormity of it, and you have nerves about being good enough to take on the role.”
This year’s line-up of celebrity contestants is as diverse as ever. Joining the competition are former Love Island winner Dani Dyer-Bowen, actress Melanie Walters from Gavin and Stacey, former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, and Australian singer Delta Goodrem.
Other notable participants include EastEnders’ Lacey Turner, celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, Love Island winner Cach Mercer, presenter Will Best, Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, Made in Dagenham actress Jaime Winstone, House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia, dog trainer and presenter Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall, Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb, Olympian Tabby Stoecker, and sports content creator John Nellis.