hints

Emma Willis dropped several hints on Instagram before the official BBC Strictly Come Dancing presenter announcement – and these five telling clues show she was always destined for the role

With the news announced today (May 19) that Emma Willis is joining Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe in the ultimate Strictly hosting trio, we’ve been examining her Instagram feed for the telltale signs that this had been in the pipeline for quite some time.

Following months of wild speculation after Tess and Claudia’s emotional exit, the BBC has at last announced that Emma Willis is entering the nation’s most dazzling ballroom. Yet for devoted followers monitoring @‌emmawillisofficial, the reveal may not have been entirely unexpected, as online detectives have been doing their thing! Scrolling through her stylish Instagram profile, it appears Emma has been leaving clues about her Strictly Come Dancing fate for months.

From perfecting the quintessential presenter look to demonstrating her live broadcasting prowess, here are the subtle signals that suggested she was always destined for the ballroom.

1. The trademark ‘Claudia’ power suits

If there’s one commandment of Strictly presenting, it’s that you need an impeccable wardrobe of tailored suits—and Emma’s Instagram essentially serves as a tutorial in power dressing.

Well before the BBC’s official word, her profile has been brimming with sharp tailoring, pristine blazers, and sophisticated monochrome ensembles. Whether she’s sporting a velvet suit that channels “Movie Week” or a polished black tuxedo radiating serious Claudia Winkleman vibes, Emma has been visually campaigning for the Saturday night style icon position for years.

2. Mastering the co-host dynamic

Tess and Claudia were the ultimate television double act, meaning any successor needed to know how to share the spotlight. Fortunately, Emma’s recent social media activity has been largely centred on her effortless chemistry with her favourite co-host: her husband, Matt Willis.

Through their promotional content for Love Is Blind UK, Emma has demonstrated she is the undisputed queen of the sideways glance, the encouraging nod, and the sharp-witted ad-lib.

If she can manage emotionally volatile reality stars while bouncing off her husband, keeping Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe in check on a live Saturday night will be an absolute doddle.

3.Live TV glamour prep

You can’t simply waltz onto the Strictly set without a genuine appreciation for serious glamour, and Emma’s behind-the-scenes posts have been quietly radiating “high production value.” Her feed is scattered with backstage selfies in the makeup chair, highlighting her flawless, camera-ready look and her famously stylish, cropped hair being expertly perfected by her team of stylists.

She has a profound appreciation for the effort required to get television-ready, regularly tagging her glam squad. She’s already well-versed in spending hours in the makeup chair — now they simply need to double the hairspray and throw in a few rhinestones.

4. Ballroom-ready fitness

While she may be clutching the microphone instead of performing the Argentine Tango, presenting Strictly demands hours of standing in stilettos, racing up and down those iconic stairs, and maintaining relentless energy.

Throughout the past year, Emma’s followers will have spotted subtle hints about her remarkable fitness regimen. From Pilates classes to core-focused training, she’s been steadily developing the endurance needed to endure the demanding autumn timetable. Those stairs won’t stand a chance.

5. A secret penchant for sequins

Emma is typically recognised for her low-key, effortlessly chic style, but occasionally, her feed unveils a glimpse of pure theatricality.

A surprise appearance of a shimmering party frock here, a glittering statement piece there—these were the key subliminal hints. She’s been gradually preparing us for a universe where she can confidently stand alongside a rhumba performer draped entirely in Swarovski crystals without appearing remotely uncomfortable.

The Verdict

The BBC couldn’t have selected a superior candidate. Emma Willis’s Instagram demonstrates she holds the precise combination needed to embrace the Strictly role: she’s exceptionally stylish, genuinely compassionate, and completely unruffled by live broadcasting mayhem.

People have been leaving comments on her social media saying that she’ll be “perfect” for the role, and they can’t wait to watch the three of them in action.

As she teams up with Josh and Johannes to introduce a brand-new chapter of Saturday evening entertainment, one thing is guaranteed, and that’s that her feed is about to become considerably more dazzling.

KATIE Price has dropped a huge hint that she’s already forgiven husband Lee Andrews after their recent public row sparked split speculation.

The former glamour model shared a gushing loved-up post on Instagram just hours after ditching her wedding ring in a new photo.

Katie Price had earlier shared a photo where she appeared to ditch the huge diamond wedding ring husband Lee Andrews gave her when they married earlier this year.

However, just hours later, Katie shared a post posing the hypothetical question: “What’s he like?” before responding with what appeared to be a gushing tribute to her husband, who was also tagged.

She wrote: “He’s like all the love I’ve ever poured out into the world finally found its way back to me, wrapped in human form.”

The couple had been rumoured to be on the rocks following Lee’s notable absence from Good Morning Britain this week, which led to Katie branding her hubby a “d*ck”.

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After claiming he missed the flight due to business commitments, Katie defended him, while Lee later shared a social media clip hitting back at claims he had been detained.

However, speaking on her Katie Price Show podcast with sister Sophie Price, Katie admitted: “I have said to him, ‘You’ve made me look like a d**k, you’ve made yourself look like a massive d**k.

“He hasn’t made it to the UK and I’ve said to him he needs to make it to the UK, because if he doesn’t, then there’s obviously something not right going on.”

She added: “And if he does make it to England, it will shut all the rumours up.”

It came after Lee was caught in an airport lie – claiming he was travelling from Muscat when he was in fact in a terminal at Dubai Airport.

There is ongoing speculation that Katie‘s husband Lee, 43, is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates city after allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend Dina Taji’s signature to secure a £200,000 loan – something he’s strongly denied.

A NOUGHTIES pop star has hinted he’s quitting fame after 25 years in the spotlight as furiously ranted online.

The 42-year-old took to his Instagram to share some hard truths about the industry and told how he’d rather live a simpler live.

Lee Ryan, a star of the 90s boyband Blue, explained that he’s “been through hell and back” and said he now “hates the public eye.”

The singer found fame in the early 2000s after the band achieved massive success with their debut album All Rise in 2001.

Blue, who have three UK Number 1 Platinum-selling albums, are still going strong, with tours lined up for the rest of this year and next.

Alongside Antony Costa, Duncan James and Simon Webbe, Lee has been taking to the stage but it seems he’s not entirely happy.

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He posted a picture of himself singing at a concert on Instagram and captioned it with the statement: “As much as I love my career I’ve had for 25 years singing in Blue, sometimes I just want to go home to be a husband and father to my baby’s.

“There’s no place I feel more at peace than with them. This industry sucks you in and spits you out the other end… I’ve been through hell and back in the public eye and I actually hate it now.”

Lee continued: “I don’t like the fame part of this job anymore, it’s fake and quite toxic. People use you and abuse you and use your success as a weapon.”

“Don’t get me wrong I love singing and being creative making music and seeing the fans at shows,” said Lee.

“The rest I could leave behind and never step foot into that space again happily… I have no interest in the industry bs anymore…. Rather be home being a dad and a husband x”

Fans took to the comments to support Lee while some felt annoyed that they had brought tickets and could see he “didn’t want to do it anymore.”

One fan wrote: “I love blue, I still do. But at the concert I feel like I could see that you don’t really want it anymore. It‘s sad because people pay money to see the absolute best of you…”

Another fan said: “Thank you for carrying on and bless us with your beautiful voice. There is no place like home and I am sure your family is forever proud of you.”

A third fan added: “You would be missed, your voice, stage presence and banter is truly in a small minority BUT you have to do what’s best for you.”

Lee’s wife Verity also rushed to support her man. She said: “You get to do both!!! Be a pop star and come back to reality and live on the farm in the sunshine!!! We love you Mr, keep going nearly home time xxx”

The couple, who married in Gibraltar in 2022, share four children together.

Blue took a hiatus in 2004 but later reformed with the original bandmembers in 2011.

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HELEN Flanagan has admitted she “constantly suffers” with mum guilt – even when her three kids are spending time with their father.

The former Coronation Street star spoke candidly in an exclusive interview with The Sun, and told us she has to force herself to “look at the bigger picture”.

Helen, 35, who has locked horns with ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair in a series of public clashes, spoke about the raw emotional pull she feels while working away.

Helen and Scott split after 13 years together in 2022. They share three kids Matilda, 10, Delilah, seven, and Charlie, four.

Speaking to the Sun on behalf of Paddy Power, she said: “I feel mum guilt all the time.

“It’s something I deal with constantly. But I try to remind myself that I’m working for my children, so it’s ultimately for them.

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“When they’re with their dad, I also see that as encouraging their relationship, which is important.

“I do still feel guilty, but I try to reframe it and look at the bigger picture.”

Helen previously said she now takes jobs she usually wouldn’t do to pay the bills.

The former soap star played the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Liverpool‘s M&S Bank Arena over the festive period.

It came as her ex looked after their brood at Christmas last year and again during the recent Easter holiday period.

Dressed up in character this month, the panto star shared: “I am princess Jill today. I’m really, really loving this theatre tour so much.

“I miss my kids today. I’ve been away from them now for about a week as they are at their daddy’s for Easter. 

“I definitely don’t think it gets easier sharing your children, it really doesn’t, but there’s so many of us that are in these situations and it can be really tricky.”

Helen’s comments about her former partner — and the positive nature of him spending time with their kids — seem to hint the pair have built bridges.

Their most recent explosive spat saw her clash with Scott after he missed their son Charlie’s nativity play because he was in Abu Dhabi for the F1.

She branded him a “piece of s**t” as he lived it up in the UAE instead.

It also seems Helen is setting her sights to her future after selling her family home and split with former boyfriend Robbie Talbot.

On the prospect of her signing up for more dating shows, she told us: “My children just find it funny.

“My daughter and I are very close. She just sees it as me working and doing different things – we have such a close bond, so it’s all very normal to her.

“I’m very open-minded about it.

“I don’t think there’s an age where you suddenly have to stop doing things like modelling or dating shows.

“You can still feel beautiful and confident at any age, so I don’t think you can put a limit on it.”