Emma Willis hits back at Strictly host criticism as stars rally around Josh Widdicombe

While Emma Willis has been praised for her Strictly hosting skills, her co-stars have not (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire) Emma Willis has shared a thinly veiled response to the backlash following her Strictly Come Dancing live debut alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. The seasoned broadcaster, 50, was flooded with praise at the weekend as the cast of 2026 performed for the first time, and Emma effortlessly slotted into the role previously helmed by Tess Daly. However, social media was rife with criticism of her co-hosts, comedian Josh, 43, and pro dancer Johannes, 39, with cruel comments branding the former a ‘spare part’. As fans of the Last Leg star come to his defence, his Strictly family is, too, with Emma taking to Instagram to hit back at the trolls. Sharing an assortment of backstage pics from last weekend, the Voice UK host posed ahead of the show with her supportive husband, Matt Willis, and snapped contestants Will Best and Shaun Wright-Phillips enjoying some calm before the chaos. Get personalised updates on Strictly Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Emma ended her photo dump with a cryptic quote. It read: ‘You will get judged either way, so may as well pick the fun option’. Husband Matt Willis was there to support her backstage (Picture: Instagram/Emma Willis) She also shared a snap of Will Best and Shaun Wright-Phillips ahead of their big moments (Picture: Instagram/Emma Willis) Emma appeared to address the backlash with a cryptic quote (Picture: Instagram/Emma Willis) Johannes left a red love heart in the comments, while Strictly fans complimented her debut, hailing her as ‘amazing’ and a ‘natural’. Others offered reassurance for the trio, with @suzanne_george1965 writing: ‘I think you all did brilliantly’. ‘Loving you, Josh and Johannes ❤️❤️’, added @hugsy113. Emma isn’t the only person coyly addressing the negative reaction, as professional dancer Lauren Oakley penned alongside a snap of the new hosts: ‘We couldn’t be in safer hands than with these beautiful people. ‘Strictly is about family, uplifting others, and creating a safe space for celebrity contestants to be vulnerable and do something so outside of their comfort zone. ‘This trio have been so warm and welcoming, and they felt like family from the minute they stepped into the studio, and we LOVE having them with us.’ Comedian Josh Widdicombe has been cruelly trolled online (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy) Judge Motsi Mabuse defended the shake-up (Picture: Threads/Motsi Mabuse) She described them as ‘professional, funny, kind and fantastic at what they do’. ‘I couldn’t feel more lucky to be sharing the screen and our Saturday nights with them!’ While he has yet to comment on the reviews of his live television presenting, Josh reposted Lauren’s Insta Story and added three love hearts, showing he’s appreciating the support. Additionally, last week, after the launch show aired and viewers saw Emma, Josh, and Johannes in action for the first time, judge Motsi Mabuse had words to say. On Threads, she said: ‘While people type away, tearing apart real human beings on television,real emotions !!!!!!! ‘AI is getting better at replacing them. One day we might not even know the difference. Emma’s debut alongside Josh and pro dancer Johannes Radebe marks the first time Strictly has had three hosts (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston) ‘And maybe then we’ll miss the days when television was still beautifully, imperfectly human.’ Predecessors Tess and Traitors host Claudia Winkleman have given their approval as well, having congratulated the trio when their new roles were announced publicly. ‘Can’t wait to tune in 😍 the ultimate trio 🔥💕’, Tess commented. ‘MAGNIFICENT. What a trio ❤️❤️❤️❤️’, wrote Claudia. Among the celebs congratulating them were Rylan Clark, Zoe Ball, and Clara Amfo, who all missed out on the job that the likes of Sara Cox, Fleur East, and Sian Welby also went for. The new hosts aren’t the only big change Strictly has implemented this season, as there have been plenty of revamped elements for long-time fans to adjust to. There have been many changes for viewers to get used to (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy) The first live show peaked at five million viewers (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy) First came five new professional dancers – Mark Karmalita, Maddie Ingoldsby, Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, and Lethabo Monametsi – who replaced axed pros Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas as part of the major shake-up. Then came the introduction of Ellie Taylor, who took over from Fleur and former co-host Janette Manrara on spin-off show It Takes Two, which also has a new studio and format. And when the series kicked off in typically dazzling style, audiences also noticed minor tweaks, such as the way the couples’ routines were announced, the opening titles, and a new version of the theme tune and logo. Finally, when the celebs were assigned pro partners, the reveal was done in a musical chairs-esque number from the studio, with each star repeatedly swapping partners until their own was confirmed. Ultimately, the first live show drew in 4.8 million viewers on average across the two-and-a-half-hour broadcast, with a peak of five million. This was down from last year’s opening live show, which attracted 6.2 million. 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