Emma Willis says her first live Strictly show was the most fun she’s ever had

Emma Willis may have already built a long television career, but stepping into the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom for her first live show appears to have given her a new career highlight.

After Saturday night’s opening live episode, the presenter shared an enthusiastic message with her followers, making clear just how much she enjoyed her first weekend at the helm of the BBC dance competition.

“Week one, done. I’ve never had so much fun! What a way to kick things off,” Willis wrote on Instagram on Sunday 27 September.

Her reaction came after the first live show of the 2026 series, which marked a significant change for Strictly. For the first time, the programme is being presented by a trio: Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe and former professional dancer Johannes Radebe.

A new era for Strictly

The live show followed the pre-recorded launch episode, which introduced the 15 celebrities and revealed their professional dance partners.

Willis, Widdicombe and Radebe then shared hosting responsibilities when the competition properly got under way on Saturday 26 September.

The trio took over after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left the programme in October 2025. Their departure brought an end to one of Strictly’s longest-running presenting partnerships and paved the way for a new format with three hosts rather than two.

The BBC announced Willis, Widdicombe and Radebe as the new presenting team in May 2026. Willis arrived with extensive experience from shows including Big Brother and The Voice, while Widdicombe brought his background in comedy and television presenting. Radebe, who had been a Strictly professional dancer since 2018, moved into a new role in front of the cameras.

The new arrangement had already attracted considerable attention before the first live show, with the presenters acknowledging the pressure of taking over such familiar roles.

Widdicombe previously admitted that he was “terrified” about the prospect of the first live programme, while speaking warmly about his new colleagues.

He said the three presenters had developed a team dynamic without ego, with each bringing a different personality to the group. He also praised Willis and Radebe for being generous, funny and supportive, saying they made his experience of working on Strictly even more exciting.

John Nellis takes the early lead

Away from the presenting changes, the first live show also produced the first leaderboard of the new series.

Social media creator John Nellis and professional partner Katya Jones finished at the top after scoring 31 points for their foxtrot to Alex Warren’s Ordinary.

The performance earned strong praise from the judging panel, with Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke all responding positively to the routine.

Australian singer Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington followed with 29 points, while Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola finished third on 27.

At the other end of the leaderboard, three contestants were tied on 15 points: Gavin & Stacey actor Melanie Walters, former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey.

The scores will carry into the following week, as there was no elimination from the opening live programme. The public vote begins as the competition continues.

Josh Widdicombe faces scrutiny

While Willis appeared delighted with her first live outing, Widdicombe’s performance generated a more mixed response.

The comedian shared the main stage with Willis, but The Independent television critic Isobel Lewis described his delivery as awkward and stilted. She observed that his difficulties became more noticeable when the presenters moved away from the prepared script, particularly during moments when they were speaking to contestants after their dances.

Lewis suggested that Widdicombe’s strong comedic instincts may have worked against him as he adjusted to the demands of live presenting.

The reaction follows Widdicombe’s own admission before the show that he was nervous about making the transition into one of the programme’s most prominent presenting roles.

His appointment had already been the subject of discussion among viewers following the launch show, while Willis and Radebe have also been adapting to a completely new presenting structure. The trio are not simply reproducing the previous division of duties, with their responsibilities shared across the programme.

Claudia Winkleman gives Willis her backing

One person who has already offered a warm response to the new era is former host Claudia Winkleman.

Following the launch episode, Winkleman left a one-word comment on an Instagram post by Willis: “knockout,” accompanied by heart emojis.

Winkleman and Daly announced their departures in October 2025. At the time, neither revealed a detailed reason for stepping down, but Winkleman later made clear that their decision was not connected to the controversies that had surrounded Strictly in recent years.

Instead, she explained that both presenters had reached the same conclusion: after many years on the programme, they felt the show needed some new faces.

That change has now arrived in the form of Willis, Widdicombe and Radebe.

For Willis, at least, the first live weekend appears to have confirmed that she is thoroughly enjoying the new chapter.

After years of interviewing stars and hosting major television programmes, she has now taken her place at the centre of one of Britain’s biggest Saturday-night shows.

And after just one live episode, her verdict is already clear: she has never had so much fun.