Motsi Mabuse Teases New Host Josh Widdicombe on Strictly

During Strictly Come Dancing’s opening live episode, judge Motsi Mabuse delivered a cheeky remark to newcomer Josh Widdicombe, prompting laughter and social media chatter. The new presenting trio—Josh, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe—has already faced criticism for their dynamic, while the show’s c…

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 27 Sep 2026 14:57:02 GMT

When Strictly Come Dancing kicked off its live season on Saturday night, the spotlight was not only on the celebrity couples but also on a new presenting trio that had just taken over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe stepped into the role, but the first episode was a rocky start for the trio, with viewers calling Widdicombe a “spare part” and noting his missed cues.

Motsi’s Cheeky Moment

Amid the buzz, judge Motsi Mabuse—known for her sharp wit—made a playful remark to Widdicombe while the duo of Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey and her professional partner Julian Caillon were receiving feedback. After Craig Revel Horwood’s cutting comments, Mabuse turned to him and said, “I actually agree with what you’re saying for once.” Craig’s quick reply—“Great, we can move on to Shirley Ballas then!”—prompted Mabuse to laugh and add, “Well, I have to do my job too!” Widdicombe, seizing the moment, shouted “Shirley!” in a mock attempt to skip Mabuse’s critique, echoing Craig’s suggestion. The exchange was light‑hearted but highlighted the banter that has become a staple of the show’s judging panel.

Viewer Reactions to the New Hosts

The trio’s debut was met with a mix of support and skepticism on social media. Some viewers appreciated Widdicombe’s humor, especially his “change partners” joke that referenced the show’s musical‑chairs format. Others felt the three‑host setup was unnecessary, arguing that Widdicombe’s role seemed redundant next to Willis and Radebe. A frequent complaint was that Widdicombe appeared “awkwardly” beside Willis on the dance floor, lacking a clear purpose. One Twitter user even joked that Widdicombe feared for his P45 in Week 1, while another suggested swapping the roles of Widdicombe and Radebe for better flow.

Scores and Celebrity Performances

While the hosts were under scrutiny, the celebrities delivered a range of performances that kept the audience engaged. Big Brother presenter Will Best opened with a samba to Robbie Williams’ “Rock DJ,” earning a respectable 18 points. Skeleton champion Tabby Stoecker impressed Anton Du Beke with a jive to KATSEYE’s “Animal,” securing a 22. Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey’s quickstep to “C’est Magnifique” earned her a 15, while former footballer Shaun Wright‑Phillips received a 15 for his cha‑cha to “Lil Boo Thang.”

House of the Dragon actress Bethany Antonia and partner Nancy Xu stole the show with a quickstep to Celeste’s “Stop This Flame,” scoring a 26. EastEnders star Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola followed with a cha‑cha to Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know,” earning a 27. The top score of the night went to YouTuber John Nellis and Katya Jones, who delivered a foxtrot that captured the judges’ attention.

Strategic Casting and Audience Demographics

Strictly’s producers have increasingly leaned on social media influencers and reality stars to attract younger viewers. The lineup this year features several online personalities—such as sports YouTuber John, who boasts 15.7 million subscribers—and other less familiar names. While this strategy mirrors the US version’s approach, the core audience remains older, with about 60% of viewers aged 55 or above. Critics argue that the focus on digital fame may alienate long‑time fans who expect traditional celebrity contestants.

Despite the debate, the show’s format—combining live judging, audience voting and celebrity performances—continues to draw viewers. The first live episode set the stage for the upcoming weeks, where the new hosts will need to find their rhythm and the contestants will aim for higher scores to avoid elimination.

What’s Next for Strictly?

The next episode will feature the first elimination, with scores from Week 1 combined with the new week’s results. Fans will be watching closely to see whether the new presenting trio can adapt to the live format and whether the social‑media‑heavy contestant lineup will pay off. Meanwhile, Motsi Mabuse’s playful banter and Widdicombe’s comedic timing will likely continue to be a talking point as the series progresses.

As the show moves forward, viewers will be eager to see how the hosts and judges balance their personalities with the demands of a live, high‑stakes competition, and whether the producers’ strategy of targeting Gen Z will resonate with the broader audience.

Key facts

Motsi Mabuse’s playful jab at Josh Widdicombe sparked laughs and social media debate.
The new trio of hosts received mixed reviews, with some viewers finding Widdicombe’s role redundant.
Celebrity performances ranged from high‑scoring routines by John Nellis/Katya Jones to lower scores for Dame Sarah Storey and Shaun Wright‑Phillips.
Producers are leaning on social‑media influencers to attract younger viewers, but the core audience remains older.
The next episode will feature the first elimination, combining Week 1 scores with new results.
Motsi’s banter and Widdicombe’s humor will likely continue to be focal points as the series progresses.

Why it matters

The episode highlights how changes in hosting and contestant selection can influence viewer engagement and the overall tone of a long‑running show like Strictly Come Dancing.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing?

Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe have taken over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as the new presenting trio.

What was Motsi Mabuse’s remark to Josh Widdicombe?

During the first live episode, Motsi playfully told Josh, “I actually agree with what you’re saying for once,” sparking laughter and a quick reply from Craig Revel Horwood.

How did the audience react to the new host lineup?

Viewers were divided; some praised Widdicombe’s humor, while others felt the three‑host setup was unnecessary and that Widdicombe seemed out of place.

What is the main criticism of this year’s celebrity lineup?

Critics argue that the lineup focuses too heavily on social‑media personalities, potentially alienating long‑time fans who expect more traditional celebrities.