The new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing—Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe—have spoken out about the changes coming for the 2026 series, addressing rumors about how the show will be presented. They will take over from long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down midway through the 2025 season. Daly and Winkleman had distinct roles: Daly was the main presenter, while Winkleman provided live commentary from a special booth known as the "Clauditorium" during live episodes. The new trio has confirmed that the 2026 series will have a different format compared to previous seasons, with no direct replacements for Daly and Winkleman. Willis explained that the roles of the new hosts are still being developed, with production days dedicated to experimenting with how the three will work together. Widdicombe likened the approach to "Total Football," a style of soccer where players are not fixed to specific positions, suggesting the hosts will be more flexible and move between roles as needed. One specific rumor that has been debunked is the idea of a backstage roving reporter. Willis confirmed that such a role will not be part of the 2026 series. Radebe, who had been speculated to take on the role, expressed surprise at the claim. Willis described the decision to have three hosts as a "wild card," with no strict script provided for the presenters as they explore the possibilities together. In addition to the new hosts, five new professional dancers have joined the show, following the departures of Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas. The 2026 series will also feature contestants like EastEnders star Lacey Turner and Australian singer Delta Goodrem, who will be paired with their professional partners during the launch show, rather than through prerecorded segments. Strictly Come Dancing is set to return to BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday, 19 September.