Tess Daly reacts to Strictly host announcement before Rylan Clark posts hysterical message after missing out on the job as they lead fan reaction to show shakeup

Tess Daly and Rylan Clark have joined a sea of ​​fans reacting to the announcement that Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe will be the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing.

After a lot of speculation, it was finally confirmed on Tuesday that the trio will be replacing Tess and Claudia Winkleman as the new faces of the show.

Following the news, Tess gave her seal of approval to the new hosting team in a comment below the show’s announcement on Instagram.

Rylan also took to social media in his own hysterical reaction to admit that he was a candidate for the gig but now fully supports the new trio.

Tess wrote: ‘Can’t wait to hear the fab trio.’

Rylan later took to Instagram to reflect on the news, writing: ‘Just wanted to say that while I am reportedly ‘in the running’ for Strictly, my biggest congratulations go to Emma and equally congratulations to Johannes and Josh.

‘You will all have the best time. Prepared for you.

‘Unfortunately this wasn’t my time, but I’m extremely grateful that I was even considered. ‘I’m really taking the news well (see next slide), but I’m really looking forward to the new series with you three.’

Rylan accompanied the message with the iconic X Factor moment where he burst into hysterical tears, referencing his admission that he was “taking the news really well”.

Strictly’s announcement post led fans, pros and former contestants to share their delight at Emma, ​​Josh and Johannes joining the gig.

Joining Tess in congratulating her new homeowners, Claudia Winkleman also wrote: ‘AMAZING. What a trio.”

Dianne Buswell said: ‘This is so exciting, especially excited for our pro friend @johannesradebe babe, you’re a real star and this role is perfect for you, we love you.’

Amanda Holden commented: ‘This is just epic news. What an amazing cast! Can’t wait to watch the next series, well done Emma, ​​you really deserve it.’

AJ Odudu added: ‘YAYYYY come on bring it on.’

Alison Hammond said: ‘This is amazing, three truly lovely people. You will all tear it apart.”

Zoe Ball, who previously shared her disappointment at missing the gig, said: ‘TEAM. Congratulations Emma, ​​JoJo and Josh, you will all be SO AMAZED.’

Judge Craig Revel-Horwood said: ‘I love it, it’s brilliant!’

The news was confirmed on Strictly’s official Instagram page as the trio reunited.

The headline read: ‘Official… September 2026.’

In the video, Emma and Johannes kissed each other on the cheek as they sat on stools before Josh was invited to join them.

Emma said of her new role: ‘It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Strictly; I’ve cheered and danced on my couch for years. “So stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can’t quite understand,” she said.

‘It is impossible to fill the shoes left behind by Tess and Claudia; two wonderful, iconic women who have long been the beating heart of Strictly.

‘Hopefully we can help steer the ship into this new chapter as beautifully as they do.’

He added: ‘I can’t wait to spend my weekends with Josh and Jojo, the incredible dancers and judges. I got a 10 out of them!’

Josh, who is a fan of the show and competed as a contestant on the 2024 Christmas special, said he was “giddy with excitement” to win a presenting spot.

‘Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin in the 2024 Christmas Special remains the absolute highlight of my career, so I’m giddy with excitement, honored and a little intimidated to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes on television,’ he said.

‘I love Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them. ‘I’ll dust off your penguin costume.’

Johannes said being given the opportunity to host was ‘beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of’.

He said the long-running show ‘has always represented joy, heart and togetherness’ and that he was ‘so honored to help carry that magic forward.’

He added: ‘Doing this alongside the amazing Emma Willis and the brilliant Josh Widdicombe makes it even more special.

‘I’m ready – sequins, nerves and all…please bear with me.’

Emma became the first of a trio signed by BBC bosses after the shortlist of presenters underwent chemistry reads and screen tests over the last few weeks.

Last week Josh emerged as the shock favorite to host the BBC dance show alongside Emma after impressing bosses.

Johannes, one of Strictly’s best-loved professional dancers and has been on the show since 2018, will take on the presenting role for the first time.

Johannes, who was partnered with Alex Kingston last year, will participate in group dances, but he will not have a celebrity partner this year as he will take on the role of a traveling reporter.

The South African dancer has quickly become a fan favorite for her flashy routines and outgoing personality and is currently starring in Kinky Boots on the West End stage.

He’s certainly the show’s breakout star, appearing in an episode of Doctor Who and competing on Celebrity MasterChef.

In 2023, he published his memoir Jojo: Finally Home, which became a bestseller.

A number of high-profile names were in the running for one of these roles, including Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark and Angela Scanlon.

Zoe, who has been a BBC stalwart for more than 30 years, recently opened up about her “sadness” at not getting the part after auditioning.

He was considered one of the top candidates thanks to his presentation in the series It Takes Two, which ran from 2011 to 2021, and his popularity among the public.

“I don’t get it, but that’s okay,” he said on an episode of the Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley.

‘I have gone through the seven stages of grief and rejection in the last few days.’

He added: ‘No, I don’t understand. But let me tell you this, if [it’s] I think whoever buys this, we are in good hands and our new landlords will be amazing.

‘I’m so excited for them and hopefully we can talk about them in more detail at a later date.’

Josh and Johannes mark the first men to join the program since Bruce Forsyth; This can be big shoes to fill.

Sir Bruce, who died in 2017, starred alongside Tess until his retirement in 2013 and Claudia took over.

Josh has co-hosted The Last Leg alongside Alex Brooker and Adam Hills since 2012.

Bosses will be hoping Josh will replace Claudia’s comedic energy and help put the contestants at ease, while Emma will drive the show.

Emma began her career as an MTV presenter in 2002, and in 2007 she starred in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! He starred in the TV series. NOW! – a spin-off of the main ITV reality show.

However, he became a household name in 2013 when he hosted Big Brother on Channel 5 and The Voice UK on BBC.

He fronted Big Brother until 2018 and moved to ITV with The Voice, which he still presents more than a decade later.

During her stint at MTV, she met Busted singer Matt Willis and the pair quickly became one of the most famous couples in showbiz.

They married at Rushton Hall in Northamptonshire in 2008 and had their daughter Isabelle, aged 16, a year later. Later, their sons Ace, 14, and Trixie, 10, were born.

They had even presented together in the past; They appeared on ITV2’s I’m a Celebrity spin-off and hosted the UK version of Netflix’s Love is Blind.

The Beeb recently gave a glimpse of what fans can expect from the 24th series of the hit programme.

Dianne Buswell (37), Nancy Xu, 34, Vito Coppola, 33, Julian Caillon, 30, Carlos Gu, 33, Lauren Oakley, 35, Amy Dowden, 35, Katya Jones, 36, Neil Jones, 44, Nikita Kuzmin, 28, Jowita Przystał, 31, Aljaž Škorjanec, 36-year-old Alexis Warr (25) and Kai (30) will return to the dance floor this year.

They will be joined by some new professional dancers who have not yet been announced.

43-year-old Karen Hauer, 35-year-old Gorka Marquez, 36-year-old Nadiya Bychkova, 30-year-old Michelle Tsiakkas and 36-year-old Luba Mushtuk took the podium.

Celebrities will be judged by Shirley Ballas, 65, Craig Revel Horwood, 61, Motsi Mabuse, 45, and Anton du Beke, 59.