Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two will be hosted by former contestant Ellie Taylor, it has been announced today ahead of the new series of the show.
Emma Willis, 50, who hosts a Saturday lunchtime show on BBC Radio 2, was the first to share the news publicly after months of speculation.
Ellie joined Emma on her programme for a ‘Strictly special’ where her new role was announced, as Emma gushed she is ‘so glad they are in it together’.
Emma told listeners: ‘With me right now is the brand new host of It Takes Two! Mystery host of It Takes Two…,’ before revealing it was Ellie.
Ellie said: ‘I am over the moon! I feel giddy. So nice to get the secret out. I’ve had the theme tune in my head since I found out… I was like stop it woman!
‘It was the same when I found out I was a contestant. I am so thrilled to be back in the Strictly world. I found out a month ago, but I’ve been a good girl.
Strictly Come Dancing host Emma Willis has revealed that Ellie Taylor has been named as the new presenter for the spin-off show
Ellie pictured arriving to Emma’s BBC Radio 2 show on Saturday
‘I told mummy and my partner. I didn’t tell the kids.’
Sharing a statement about the news, Ellie said: ‘What a total joy to return to Strictly in this new role. I feel incredibly honoured to follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal line-up of hosts who’ve made Strictly – It Takes Two so loved over the years.
‘I can’t wait to immerse myself in all the gossip and sequins flying out of the ballroom in order to bring my fellow Strictly fans everything they need to know. I’m so excited, I could cha cha! (But I won’t – don’t worry… no one needs to see that again.)’
Ellie was hotly tipped to be announced as the new host of the show earlier this month after the former hosts were axed in this year’s huge show revamp.
The show has had a huge overhaul ahead of the 2026 series as main presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been replaced by Emma, Josh and Johannes while several pros have been given the boot.
A source has told The Sun: ‘Ellie was hugely popular with viewers when she appeared as a contestant on Strictly in 2022, and her infectious personality was also a hit with the senior production team.
‘She very much featured in the discussions when they were looking to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on the main show, and although she didn’t get that job, she remained in the executive team’s thoughts.
‘They were very keen to get her on It Takes Two which they felt was too boring and needed a major revamp. So she’s been hired for the It Takes Two hosting job.’
Most recently, Fleur East and Janette Manrara hosted It Takes Two during the 2025 series but it was announced that they were being replaced.
Ellie appeared as a contestant on the show in 2022 with professional partner Johannes Radebe, who was announced as one of the main show’s new hosts
Emma pictured arriving to BBC studios ahead of announcing the news on her show
Emma has returned to her regular slot after ‘a few weeks off’ on holiday, but revealed she was now back into the swing of work and ready to kickstart Strictly season.
She said that Friday was her ‘first full work day’ with her co-hosts with Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe as they filled the day doing press for the show.
Emma told listeners: ‘It’s a Strictly special. Because I’m going to introduce you to the brand new host of It Takes Two, they’re in the building and coming into the studio!
Yesterday Strictly Come Dancing’s new hosts Emma and Johannes were seen arriving for a photoshoot alongside the stars of this year’s series.
In October, Tess Daly caused shockwaves when she announced she was stepping down from hosting after 21 years alongside her co-host Claudia Winkleman, who had fronted the show alongside Tess for 15 years.
After months of speculation, in May it was announced Emma and Johannes, 39, would be joining Josh Widdicombe in hosting the show, following a bloodbath among the line-up of pros – of which Johannes was previously included.
While the duo looked delighted to be arriving, there has been much discussion over the line-up – with some branding the cast ‘the worst to date’.
Some of the best known of the line-up are Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Jaime Winstone, Will Best and Gavin & Stacey actress Melanie Walters, however many of the stars have been deemed unrecognisable to viewers.
After months of speculation, in May it was announced Emma and Johannes, 39, would be joining Josh Widdicombe in hosting the show, following a bloodbath among the line-up of pros – of which Johannes was previously included
Emma looked sensational in an androgynous ensemble comprising a cropped, unbuttoned waistcoat layered over a sleeveless shirt and trousers.
She wore her trademark cropped locks slicked back while wearing minimal make-up and thin wired glasses for her big first day.
While he may be used to the dancefloor, Johannes was taking on a whole different job as he too headed in sporting a slick white jumper.
Strictly is one of the BBC‘s most popular shows, with millions tuning in every weekend and the professional dancers quickly becoming household names.
This year, however, there’s been one big problem – that the dancers are better known than the ‘stars’ they’re set to partner up with.
YouTuber John, for example, doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page.
But that doesn’t seem to matter to producers, who are said to have specifically selected stars who have large social media followings.
Stars such as Kim Kardashian’s hair stylist Chris might not be a household name, but he does boast a huge social media following with 4million fans on Instagram.
John has an even bigger fanbase, with 15.7million YouTube subscribers.
However, loyal fans have been left scratching their heads over the lineup, with many of the comments on the Strictly social posts asking who the celebrity is, rather than expressing any excitement.
Indeed, while bosses may be keen to attract Gen Z (14 to 29 years old), the majority of Strictly viewers are currently Gen X (46 to 61 years old) and Baby Boomers (62 to 80 years old).
