Emma Willis reveals what she's most excited for about presenting Strictly 💃
Emma will be co-hosting the new series of Strictly Come Dancing this year
Last updated 18 hours ago
On the day that the new Love Is Blind UK series arrives on Netflix, the show's presenters Matt and Emma Willis joined Fleur East on Hits Radio Breakfast to chat about the new series. But we couldn't have Emma in the studio and not talk to her about her latest presenting gig - for Strictly Come Dancing.
Back in 2025, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they would be leaving their presenting roles of the iconic show after many years, and there had been many rumours over who would be taking over the roles.
Strictly Come Dancing
Earlier this year, Emma Willis was announced as a co-host for the show, along with Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, so we just had to ask Emma how she was feeling about taking over the new presenting role.
"I'm excited about all of it," she revealed. "I'm nervous about all of it, I'm excited because it's a show that I've watched since it began really. So I'm a fan of it first and foremost."
Turning to Matt, she said: "Like we watch it every week, don't we? When it's on...
"And I'm nervous for all of the same reasons because it's a show that I love. It's a show that millions of people love. It's been made and hosted impeccably by Tess and Claud.
"And then you've got (to) take the baton and go, 'Let's not mess it up'. But I'm really excited because it's fun."
This year, Hits Radio Breakfast presenter Will Best, will be taking part in Strictly, as well as presenting his radio show AND presenting Big Brother, so Emma, who also juggles a number of presenting jobs had some advice for him.
Emma admitted: "I think, don't think about it!
"Because when you think about it, the overwhelm is huge and then that makes you spiral... Sleep when you can, it's like having a baby!
"Rest when you can and then go on autopilot the rest of the time."
Love Is Blind
Emma and husband Matt also revealed more about the new series of Love Is Blind, with the pair admitting they would have paired up and fallen in love, if they had met on the popular dating show.
Emma explained: "Yeah, because Matt is... I say this all the time, the he has Rizz. He has the Rizz."
However, Matt joked: "My kids told me once, 'You got no Rizz', that's what they said to me!
"And I was like, my Rizz pays for your house!"
Matt regularly misses their wedding anniversary 😮
On the latest series of Love Is Blind one of the hopefuls forgets one of the girl's names, which prompted Fleur to ask Matt and Emma if there's any crucial moment in their relationship that one of them has forgotten.
And it wasn't long before Matt admitted that every year he forgets their wedding anniversary! The Busted singer revealed: "It's like it's confusing for me because there's a wedding anniversary and a daughter's birthday very close."
Emma explained further as one is in June and one is in July, saying: "He always thinks it's the date of Isabelle's birthday on the month that we got married. So I get the confusion."
Matt explained: "Yeah, it's just so I instantly say the wrong thing, but now it's in my head it's the wrong thing, now I just say it every time."
Listen to the full interview
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Take a look through the confirmed line-up for Strictly Come Dancing:
Lacey Turner
Best known for: Actress
Lacey said: "I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! I am a huge fan and can't quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!"
Dani Dyer
Best known for: TV personality
Dani said: "I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one! I'm just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!"
Delta Goodrem
Best known for: Singer and actress
Delta said: "I've been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I've never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor! I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can't wait to get started!"
Chris Appleton
Best known for: World-renowned conceptual hair stylist
Chris said: 'I'm thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I've always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story - and I can't wait to get started.'
Cach Mercer
Best known for: Love Island winner
Cach said: "I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can't wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!"
Will Best
Best known for: Radio presenter and Big Brother host
Will said: "I can't quite believe it…I'm doing Strictly! What an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one. I've been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait! I have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dance floor! I'm going to try to enjoy every minute of it."
Dame Sarah Storey
Best known for: Paralympic athlete
Sarah said: "Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting. I have always loved watching Strictly and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world, is incredibly motivating! I can't wait to get started!"
Jaime Winstone
Best known for: Actress
Jamie said: "I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year. I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me. I love a challenge though, so can't wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!! Let's get physical – see you on the dance floor!"
Bethany Antonia
Best known for: Actress
Bethany said: "I can't quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom this September! I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill. See you on the dancefloor!"
Shaun Wright-Phillips
Best known for: Football legend and pundit
Shaun said: "Dancing is in my blood — but mainly at family events! Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I'm super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!"
Graeme Hall
Best known for: Dog coach and Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly star
Graeme said: "I can't believe I am joining the cast of Strictly for 2026. I have always loved dancing, so to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the business is a dream come true. I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking! I can't wait to get started. Bring it on!"
Lawrence Robb
Best known for: Emmerdale actor
Lawrence said: "I don't know who's more excited about this, me or my Mother. I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time! It's a dream come true, and I can't wait to bring my all to ballroom. Wish me luck, and any advice is very welcome - trust me I'll need it!"
Tabby Stoecker
Best known for: Team GB Skeleton athlete
Tabby said: "I am over the moon to be joining the cast of Strictly 2026. I've had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can't wait to get stuck in!"
John Nellis
Best known for: Sports Content Creator
John said: "I'm still in disbelief that I've been selected for Strictly and, if I'm honest, I'm a little nervous as I've never danced before! It's such an incredible opportunity, and I'm going to throw myself into every moment. I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!"
Melanie Walters
Best known for: Gavin and Stacey actress
Melanie said: "Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly 'fix' has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room. This year I am completely thrilled and happy to swap my fairy wand for sequinned dance shoes. I just hope I don't follow Cinderella and leave one on the Ballroom stairs. I cannot wait to take part in this absolutely iconic show, it's so exciting. See you in September!"