Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood calls press comments about new hosts Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe 'disgusting'

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026.

Craig Revel Horwood mounted a strong defence of Strictly's new presenting lineup on BBC Breakfast on Friday, calling media criticism of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe "disgusting" and praising all three for bringing a family feel to the show. Willis, 50, has also recalled fainting during a hospital filming shoot in 2018, saying she felt "mortified" on coming round in A&E, having believed at the time she was picking her daughter up from school.

Willis's husband Matt Willis told This Morning she is "smashing it" on Strictly and has watched more of the show than ever before.

The new trio replaced Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman this series, with Willis and Widdicombe at the judges' table and Radebe joining couples on the balcony.

Willis said she passed out while watching a post-birth theatre procedure during her role as a maternity care assistant in a 2018 Channel 4 documentary.