Claudia Winkleman

Josh Widdicombe and Emma Willis have shown their public support for Johannes Radebe ahead of their debut as Strictly Come Dancing presenters by turning up at his West End show

Josh Widdicombe and Emma Willis have shown their public support for Johannes Radebe ahead of their debut as Strictly Come Dancing presenters. It was announced earlier this year that comedian Josh, 43, along with former Big Brother host Emma, 50, and Strictly pro Johannes, 39, would be the new trio to head up the BBC Saturday night favourite in place of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.

Johannes, who initially joined Strictly in 2018, is playing the leading role of drag queen Lola in the West End musical Kinky Boots, which is based on the 2005 film and follows a struggling shoe factory as turn to making footwear for men who dress as women in a bid to avoid closure.

On Wednesday, Josh revealed that he and Emma had paid a visit to the London Coliseum where the show is running so they could see their co-star in action.

Alongside a picture of them backstage, along with X Factor winner Matt Cardle, who plays Charlie Price, Josh wrote on Instagram: “Incredible evening watching @johannesradebe absolutely smash the west end in Kinky Boots. Emma and I a bit too in love with him in the second pic.”

The trip were previously seen expressing their excitement for their new roles at a photoshoot for the BBC dancing competition, in a behind-the-scenes video posted to Strictly Come Dancing’s Instagram.

The announcement was a long time to come, and fans have waited almost a year to find out just who will step into the roles once held by Tess and Claudia. But following the first public appearance of the trio, several fans were left divided about what is to come, with some predicting that the lineup will change again after just one series.

One fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “I’m so sorry but even this photo backs up my theory that it’ll just be Emma + Johannes after 1 series. This is just so odd and you can’t keeeeep dancing like this!”

Another said: “I would have put Emma with Rylan, not sure about Josh or Johannes,” and a third, writing on Reddit, said: “producers were thoroughly surprised and impressed with Johannes during the screentest.

“I wouldn’t be surprised they added the 3rd host role specifically for him. If Josh doesn’t work out for them, they can slot Johannes right in that spot upstairs, with a year of experience under his belt. If it does all work out, they have 3 amazing hosts!”

Others had an optimistic outlook, with one viewer writing: “Good luck Josh, Emma and JoJo, looking forward to the new line-up!”

Another said: “Love Emma! Don’t know too much about Josh so will stay open minded before making judgements. I’m sort of gutted we won’t see Jojo with a partner, but I will love to watch him on my screen every week!!”

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James Jordan thinks the recent Strictly Come Dancing “bloodbath”, which saw a string of professionals axed from the BBC show, was just “getting rid of dead wood”

James Jordan has said the recent culling of several Strictly Come Dancing professionals was “getting rid of dead wood”. The TV star, 48, served as a professional on the BBC Saturday night favourite from 2006 until 2013, and has now spoken out on the mass shakeups that have occurred ahead of the next series going to air.

It was then confirmed earlier this year that professional dancers Karen Hauer, the longest-serving pro on the series, along with Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas would not be returning to the series.

But James has now insisted that the changes were what was “needed” to give another set of pros a chance. He told the Press Association: “When you join Strictly, you’re taking someone’s job, OK? And people forget that because they’re on the show, but then when they’re asked to leave, and then they’re replaced, they’re only worried about that.

“But they forget at some point, they took someone’s job. It’s just showbiz, that’s what it is. Enjoy it for what it is – it is a juggernaut of a show, and it was an honour for all of us to be part of it for so many years.

“But you have to remember that it will come to an end at some point, and all this controversy around, ‘oh, they’re changing so many of the pros’… it needed a shakeup. Some of the pros have been on there for 14 years… dead wood… get rid of them and bring someone younger in, in my opinion.”

But fellow former Strictly professional dancer Ian Waite said: “In my opinion, they got rid of the wrong ones.” He said: “All the professional dancers are amazing in their own right, but you can’t stay on there forever. At some point, you have to give the younger ones a chance, because there’s so many amazing dancers out there.”

James then claimed that bosses could have “got rid of some of the judges as well,” with the panel currently made up of Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood, before hitting out at how “politically correct” he thinks it has become in recent years.

He added: “It’s all got nicey-nicey now, isn’t it? It’s all politically correct, and ‘you can’t say this, and you can’t say that’. You can’t be negative because they’re (the contestants) are gonna cry. It’s a dance show. You need that baddie… but even Craig now is kind of toned down a lot.” He then called for the “reality” of the series to be shown to viewers.

“It’s all like everyone loves everyone, and we’re all one big happy family. That’s not life, that’s not real life. I want to see how hard they’re working in the training room. I want to see the tears. I think that’s the magic that needs to come back.”

James’ own exit from the show came as a result of him choosing to turn down the offer of a reduced role, which would have meant that he would have not been paired with a celebrity on the main programme having previously competed with the likes of broadcaster Vanessa Feltz, actress Denise Van Outen and The One Show’s Alex Jones.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they were leaving last year and will be replaced by Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe.

Casting the Big Brother host to present the new series was hailed by James as an “amazing” decision, but wasn’t sure what to make of her new co-stars and would have “preferred” another big name from the TV world.

But he said: “I would have preferred someone like Bradley Walsh or Vernon Kay, or someone like that, because they’re tried and tested. But at the same time, sometimes you got to take risks, and I’m not going to say it’s not good, because I haven’t seen it until I see it.”

Later this year, James and Ian will be teaming up with fellow former Strictly pros Brendan Cole, Pasha Kovalev and Vincent Simone for the dance show Vegas: After Hours.

The show will see them bringing the spirit of Sin City to life with routines set to a soundtrack inspired by Las Vegas performers. James said following their previous Legends Of The Dance Floor in 2024 and The Return Of The Legends last year, they were approached to do another show with the “old geriatrics from Strictly”.

Ian then joked that although they had asked producers to be sent to Vegas for “research purposes”, money was “too tight”. He said: “They said they couldn’t afford James’s casino bills and Vincent’s drinks bill.”

James then said: “These guys are amazing and inspire me every single day that I watch them on stage. They’re all so different and so brilliant at what they do, but I think what separates our tour from any other Strictly tour is the realism in between with the chat, the camaraderie between us, and the fact that we take the mickey out of each other. If we were still working for the BBC, we wouldn’t be able to say some of these things… but it’s all very real and honest and funny.”

The 30-date tour starts in Fareham on October 3 and wraps up in Cardiff on November 8. Tickets are on sale now, available from the venues, Ticketmaster and on The Legends in Vegas: After Hours | Concert Tour.

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Perrie Edwards has explained why Leigh-Anne Pinnock has likely been cast as a traitor after her former Little Mix bandmate was announced as part of the lineup for the hit BBC show

Perrie Edwards has explained why Leigh-Anne Pinnock has likely been cast as a traitor on the next series of Celebrity Traitors. The Little Mix star, 32, was asked for her opinion after her bandmate Leigh-Anne, 34, was announced as part of the lineup for the upcoming edition of Claudia Winkleman‘s hit BBC series.

Earlier this year, comedian Alan Carr schemed his way to victory after being cast as a traitor and now that Leigh-Anne, along with a host of other huge names like Love Island host Maya Jama and Coronation Street legend Julie Hesmondhalgh have been chosen to enter the famous castle as either a Faithful or a Traitor, Perrie has weighed in

Speaking on the Hanging Out with Ant & Dec podcast, she implied she’d be a good traitor because of her affinity for mischief: “Oh she is so annoying, I already know she is going to annoy me. You don’t understand how infuriating it is, she would lie about silly things so she would do pranks and we’d be like, ‘Leigh-Anne’s that’s…’ and she’d be like ‘it’s a prank’ and I’m like ‘that’s not a prank you’ve just lied, it’s just annoying’. And so I don’t know if I’ve got it in me to watch her do that for a full series.”

Despite her enthusiasm and ability to come up with a theory for her bandmate, Perrie admitted that this will be the first time she has ever seen the hit game show.

She said: “I’ve never seen it, never! I can’t get into it but now I am going to have to because Leigh-Anne’s on it and so I need to watch it now!”

Initially, the star avoided using words and simply shared two emojis after the announcement was made that she was set to take part. She posted a looking eyes emoji as well as an emoji covering its faces with its hands to signal she isn’t sure what she’s signed herself up for in the new season.

Leigh-Anne will line up with some huge names in the industry, including Michael Sheen and Jerry Hall. The 21-star list also includes Richard E Grant and Miranda Hart.

Also taking part is BBC presenter Amol Rajan, The Last of Us actress Bella Ramsey and comedian James Acaster – not to be mixed up with You’re Beautiful singer James Blunt, who has also signed up. Comedy stars Joanne McNally and Joe Lycett, and social media content creator King Henry were also announced.

Industry actress Myha’la and BBC maths guru Professor Hannah Fry. Rob Beckett with be bringing laughs alongside TV sidekick Romesh Ranganathan, flanked by former EastEnder Ross Kemp and My Mad Fat Diary star Sharon Rooney.

Game of Thrones actor Sebastian Croft completes the line-up as former Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia gets ready to choose her Traitors.

While they will all take part exactly like the usual Traitors series, rather than take any winnings themselves, the celebrity players will be donating anything they get from the potential £100,000 jackpot to their chosen charities

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Some fans are convinced that two TV stars have hinted that they are to take over as Strictly Come Dancing hosts after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down

Two major TV stars have seemingly let slip that they’re about to become the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts.

The BBC have now announced all the returning professional dancers after a massive number of exits. It has also been confirmed that all four judges are making their return to the BBC show.

The hosts have yet to be announced after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down and there has been much talk about who might replace them, with names including Rylan Clark and Bradley Walsh being rumoured.

Fans now are convinced they know who will be presenting the show – after spotting a telling clue. Referencing the official post to announce the returning professional dancers and judges, one fan noted: “I noticed that they are the only ones from the rumoured 10 to be commenting on the post. Correct me if I am wrong. My dream duo.”

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They are referring to the fact Zoe Ball and Angela Scanlon were the only two stars to comment on the post from the rumoured 10. Zoe – who previously presented the spin-off show – and former contestant Angela are hot favourites to replace Tess and Claudia.

One fan penned in response: “Would be two good choices as hosts. Zoe could fill the more serious role (although I still think Emma Willis would’ve been perfect for that but won’t complain about Zoe) and Angela would fill the Claudia role very well.

“The only thing I would say is Angela might have to balance her humour with seriousness a bit more than she has had to do in other presenting roles. But much much better than the other rumoured hosts like Rylan and Bradley Walsh.”

Another added: “I would absolutely not be mad if these were our hosts. Fit the bill for me, and they both know strictly well and how it works,” as a third penned: “Would be absolutely fine with this.”

Tess and Claudia announced back in September that they were quitting the show after the end of this series.

“We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show,” they said.

“They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last “keep dancing” but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.”

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It has been reported that EastEnders legend Ross Kemp has ‘signed up’ for Celebrity Traitors season 2, following the huge success of last years show.

Ross Kemp has reportedly signed for The Celebrity ­Traitors and is set to join Claudia Winkleman in Ardross Castle in Scotland for filming this weekend.

The actor and documentary-maker, 61, is best known for playing Grant Mitchell in the East London soap and now has decided to set his sights on a new challenge.

This comes as a surprise move from the star who has refused other reality TV show competitions, but reports suggest he was intrigued by the “psychological” nature of The Traitors.

An insider told The Sun: “He loves Traitors and thinks it’s a programme on another level, which is why he really wanted to take part.

“Ross loved the mix of psychological intrigue paired with some of the very physical trials that the group have to complete – both suit him perfectly.

The source added that he wanted to take part as he’s at a “point in his life” where he “wants to try new things and continue to challenge himself.”

They also suggested that this could be an opportunity for the star to appeal to the younger generation, after a decades-long career and an older fanbase.

“Plus he knows The Celebrity Traitors won’t just be watched by people who are familiar with his work, but by younger viewers who may be less familiar with Ross, and this opens him up to a whole new audience. He’s also a very BBC name and this is another big BBC show.”

Last year, the first ever celebrity version of The Traitors was an enormous success and captivated the country. The show had huge UK names including; Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross, Alan Carr, Celia Imrie, Cat Burns, Tom Daley, Charlotte Church, and comedian Nick Mohammed.

The BBC has remained tight-lipped about which celebrities are set to appear in the second season of the show, with a spokesperson for the broadcaster telling The Sun: “We are not commenting on speculation, and details for The Celebrity Traitors series 2 will be announced in due course.”

However, it has been reported that this years cast includes; actors Richard E Grant, Michael Sheen, comedians James Acaster and Joanne McNally, academic Hannah Fry, and University Challenge presenter Amol Rajan.

Filming is set to begin very soon and take place in the next two to three weeks. The show will likely broadcast later this year.

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The former England footballer is said to be in talks to appear on Celebrity Traitors following the success of series one which saw Alan Carr crowned winner

Peter Crouch successfully pivoted from being a legendary footballer to a broadcaster, showing off his wit and likability. And over the years he has extended his fanbase.

So it comes as no surprise that he has now caught the attention of BBC bosses who have earmarked him to appear in the next series of Celebrity Traitors.

According to reports, the ex England footballer, 45, is one of the major names that had been thrown into the mix as bosses want the same level of success that was generated off the back of series one.

On the first celebrity spin show which aired last year, Alan Carr fought off all his contenders to be crowned winner back in November.

A source told The Sun: “Producers think Peter would be brilliant. He’s sporty, competitive and really funny.”

They added: “They know landing him would be a big coup and bring a new type of viewer to the series.” If it is confirmed that Peter is part of this year’s line-up, he is set to make history as the first ex professional footballer to be signed to the show.

Peter has previously shown interest in the show. He once said: “I love Celebrity Traitors but I don’t know if I could go on it. I’d be a traitor. Being a traitor is the one.”

This comes after the show’s host Claudia Winkleman confirmed that a number of high profile names had been presented to her ahead of filming series two.

While on The One Show to promote her new BBC chat show, she was asked if there were a number of big names set to appear on the upcoming game show.

She replied saying: “There certainly are. The people who make it are extraordinary and they had to repeat the people twice to me because I was like, ‘Huh, are you joking? Come again.’ So, we’re incredibly lucky.”

She added: “Yeah, I hope so. We’re so grateful that people want to come and play the game. And the people who said yes for series one, I still can’t believe it.”

Claudia continued: “I was shaking when you see Stephen Fry walking around the castle and Alan Carr, Ruth Codd, all of these people I was obsessed by. I’m very excited. But I can’t say anything else, don’t make eye contact with me.”

Ahead of the official confirmation a number of names have reportedly been shortlisted in the hope of joining the show. The first being iconic actor Stephen Graham, famed for the success of A Thousand Blows and Adolescence.

A TV insider reportedly told the Daily Mail: “They are absolutely desperate to nail down Stephen for the show. He would be their star signing. He is one of the most formidable actors of our generation, and the nation adores him, but no one really knows what he’s like as a person, so there is a definite hunger among viewers to see what he is like in a more reality-based setting.”

Earlier this year, it was speculated that Danny Dyer, best known for his role as Mick Carter in EastEnders, was also being lined up. Previously, the actor had shown no interest in the game show until he saw the first series with Alan Carr as champion.

Another source told the publication: “Danny was always top of The Celebrity Traitors wish list but had zero interest until seeing the fun and games last autumn. As soon as his tune changed, it was all systems go.”

They added: “Danny is a reality TV booker’s dream signing and will be incredible value, as he’s naturally funny but in a totally different way to Alan Carr.”

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Claudia Winkleman explains it was a very emotional moment when she left Strictly Come Dancing with Tess Daly last year

They will be watching the new series of Strictly Come Dancing together. But Claudia Winkleman says she and Tess Daly decided to bow out from the BBC show because they worried about becoming complacent in their roles.

No one ever doubted the pair loved BBC’s ballroom series. But speaking in-depth about their decision to leave, Claudia says she started to see signs that they needed to go ahead with their pact to quit at the same time.

“You want to leave on a high,” says Claudia. “And you want to leave when you are loving it. We were tiny cogs in this huge sparkly, glittery thing. We were tiny as we had props guys holding Eiffel Towers, the amazing band, the dancers, the costume and hair and make-up and everything else and the lighting.

“We thought it was time to leave. Years earlier they said Gloria Estefan was playing in Blackpool and we were like ‘I cant believe it’. I phoned my husband and said ‘I have to practice the Conga’.”

By then end of their run though, even big names and learning new dances were commonplace. She explains: “We thought it was time to leave. You know, not that I was not excited at the end, but both of us were a bit like ‘Oh yeah…cool. Alright, so then I do that…(routine)’.

“It deserves ‘new’ (change). But what shocked me was, we did the last live show. All week was like ‘We are fine’ but I could not stop crying as it has been my entire life. You know sometimes when you decide something like ‘Let’s move house’. Then you pick up the final box. Not that you have done something wrong but it just feels big.”

For Strictly’s launch in 2026, it will be all change in terms of hosts but also with some things still be the same. Claudia and Tess will be together, but snuggled up away from the cameras.

“Tess and I have already planned. We are having jacket potatoes and I am having the salmon. She is coming to ours, her and Vern(husband Vernon Kay). I am not joking. I am going to set her up with a nightie and we are going to watch and support and love it.”

For many years now, pretty much every TV show Claudia Winkleman has touched turned to gold.

Her Strictly Come Dancing stint on the main show for 15 years, hosting The Traitors and now huge spin off hit Celebrity Traitors too, as well as smaller shows like The Piano which won critical acclaim for Channel 4.

For her other major project The Traitors, Claudia says it requires very different skills compared to fronting Strictly, where she says a lot of the credit should go to Tess.

“Tess did all the heavy lifting on Strictly and I am grateful for it. But on Traitors I had to be strict. I was worried about that. I am in life a cheerleader like if my kids fill the dishwasher I am like ‘Lets film it’. So I am a cheerleader and I am able do that on Traitors when they do the missions. I want to feed them chocolate as I am on their side.

“But I have to get a bit strict like when my kids have not done their homework. I love the game so much so that is how I have to be. The producers did tell me to push it.”

Whilst she will continue to front the series, she admits it has made her more thoughtful about lying and deceit in real life.

“Traitors makes me cry. I am not that harsh. I want the traitors to win and the faithful to get them in equal measure. Also it is a lot of money if it is for charity or for them individually.

I have learned a lot of things that I wish I had not. It has made me realise there is no such thing as gut instinct. It is all about what you tell yourself afterwards. And I have learnt you can know the truth but you can persuade people to follow you and that makes me heartbroken. Will I do a children’s version? No.”

After referencing her kids, Claudia, at a charity Q&A event, is asked more about her own family.

She has been married to film producer Kris Thykier since 2000, and they have three children: Jake, Matilda, and Arthur. But there appears to be no risk of nepo babies in the Winkleman household.

With a grin Claudia says: “I told them to nepo up. One wants to work in hospitality, one wants to be a doctor and one wants to be a chemist. I said ‘I can navigate you work experience’ and they were like ‘No thanks mum.’ They are not interested in film (husband’s work) like they say ‘Not unless it comes in a test tube’. So no. That is not what they have asked for.”

Claudia was giving a rare interview to TV director Ben Winston at St John’s Wood Synagogue in London in aid of Lira Winston Fellowships, which focus on identifying and nurturing Jewish school educators

Asked about her thoughts on rising anti semitism, she said: “How do I navigate the industry? The industry itself does not feel anti-Semitic to me. That is my experience. But the growing anti-Semitism and the growing Islamophobia and racism that we see everywhere is really, really terrifying I suppose.

“I don’t want to say terrifying in front of my kids, but it is worrying. And that is why it is so important that we have got to look after each other and people from other communities.”

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