Craig Revel Horwood calls press attacks on new Strictly hosts Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe 'disgusting'

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026 · last updated 10 October 2026.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has stepped up to defend the show's new presenting team, describing press criticism of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe as 'disgusting'. Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Friday, Revel Horwood championed the three hosts who have taken over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman for the 2026 series. Willis, 50, also disclosed that she was once taken to A&E after she collapsed during the making of a Channel 4 medical documentary in 2018. The new line-up enters its third week on air this Saturday.

Widdicombe admitted he had not expected how emotionally tough Strictly eliminations would be, saying the first results show left him feeling 'terrible'.

Matt Willis told Tess Daly on This Morning that he has 'never watched so much Strictly' in his life, saying his wife Emma is 'smashing it'.

Some viewers have called Widdicombe a 'spare part' and urged Willis to 'take over more', but fans online insist all three hosts are 'smashing it'.