Strictly Come Dancing legend set to join Emma Willis | UK News

Johannes Radebe has reportedly been tipped to join Emma Willis as a new presenter of Strictly Come Dancing. The search for the new presenters has been underway for months following the shock departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman last 12 months. Emma, 50, has allegedly been confirmed as one-half of the new internet hosting duo.

It is now believed that Johannes, 39, who has been a skilled on the BBC show since 2018, is being eyed up for the position after impressing BBC bosses during chemistry checks with other potential candidates. A source has now revealed that everybody concerned in the audition course of is satisfied the job goes to Johannes.

They told The Sun: “Everyone involved in the auditions — including the celebs — are saying the job is going to JoJo. During the chemistry tests he was paired up with every other celeb and did incredibly well.

“They all suppose he could be the right associate for Emma. He has been announced as one of the returning skilled dancers but that doesn’t imply bosses aren’t going to promote him.”

A second insider revealed there has also been talks about doubtlessly hiring Johannes as a roving reporter, citing his reputation with Strictly followers.

“Whether he’s going to be a host like Emma or take a barely different presenting position is being ironed out,” the source added.

In 2021, Johannes made history by being part of the programme’s first all-male dance partnership alongside John Whaite, with the pair reaching the final.

He finished in fourth place with former professional tennis player Annabel Croft in 2023, and has also been partnered with celebrities including Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley, TV presenter Caroline Quentin, comedian and actress Ellie Taylor and Gladiators star Montell Douglas.

While Emma’s co-presenter is yet to be announced, BBC Radio 2 host Zoe Ball confirmed she didn’t get the position.

Speaking on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, Zoe, 55, said: “I didn’t get it, but it’s OK. I’ve labored through the seven phases of grief and rejection over the last couple of days.

“No, I didn’t get it, but I tell you, what, if who I think has got it, we’re in safe hands and our new hosts are going to be fabulous. I’m so thrilled for them, and hopefully at a later date, we’ll be able to talk about them in more detail.”

She added: “I was so chuffed to even be in the mix. There were some pretty amazing people who didn’t even make it into the mix. So I made it in the mix, and I had a really fun time having one last little play at a show that I love and adore. And I’m so thrilled for the gang that has got it.

“I feel there’s been so many eyes on this entire course of, everybody’s fairly relieved now that a choice has been made and the proper ­choice has been made.”

According to reviews, Angela Scanlon and Alex Jones are out of the operating, while Rylan Clark is believed to have “ruled himself out before anybody might say in any other case”.

The Daily Express has contacted Johannes Radebe’s representatives for remark.