New Presenters Announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Introduction
The BBC is currently finalizing the plans to replace long-term hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman for the 2026 season of Strictly Come Dancing.
Main Body
This change follows the departure of Daly and Winkleman in 2025, which means the BBC must start a full recruitment process. Reports suggest that Emma Willis has been offered a main hosting role, a decision based on her successful chemistry tests. At the same time, professional dancer Johannes Radebe is expected to join the presenting team. Although Radebe will return as a dancer, internal sources claim he may be promoted to a 'roving reporter' or co-host because he performed well during the auditions. However, these changes mean that several well-known candidates were not chosen. Zoe Ball has confirmed she was not selected, while Fleur East has expressed her disappointment at being left off the shortlist. Furthermore, there are reports that the spin-off show, It Takes Two, might change into a vodcast format. Although this creates uncertainty, the BBC has officially denied that the contracts of East and Janette Manrara have been ended. Additionally, there have been strategic changes to the cast, including the exit of professional dancers Luba Mushtuk and Nadiya Bychkova. The BBC has emphasized that it will not disclose specific details about personnel changes until a formal announcement is made.
Conclusion
The final presenting lineup is expected to be revealed after the Eurovision Song Contest final.
Learning
🚀 Moving Beyond 'And' and 'But'
To move from A2 to B2, you need to stop using simple connectors. The article uses Advanced Transition Words to glue ideas together. Instead of saying "and" or "but," try these patterns:
1. Adding Information (The 'Moreover' Effect)
- A2 style: "The BBC is changing hosts and they are changing the show format."
- B2 style: "Furthermore, there are reports that the spin-off show... might change into a vodcast."
- Tip: Use Furthermore or Additionally when you want to sound professional and organized.
2. Handling Contrasts (The 'However' Pivot)
- A2 style: "Emma Willis got the job but Zoe Ball did not."
- B2 style: "However, these changes mean that several well-known candidates were not chosen."
- Tip: Place However at the start of a sentence followed by a comma to create a strong pause before you introduce a conflicting idea.
3. The Logic of 'Although'
- A2 style: "He is a dancer but he might be a reporter."
- B2 style: "Although Radebe will return as a dancer, internal sources claim he may be promoted..."
- Tip: Although allows you to put two opposite ideas in one sentence. It shows the reader you can handle complex logic.
💡 Vocabulary Upgrade: The 'Corporate' Shift
Notice how the article doesn't just say "the BBC is choosing people." It uses Formal Collocations (words that naturally go together in professional settings):
- Instead of "picking people" Full recruitment process
- Instead of "telling the truth" Disclose specific details
- Instead of "the list of people" Presenting lineup
Challenge: Next time you write an email or a report, replace one "but" with "however" and one "and" with "furthermore." That is the first step toward B2 fluency.