I’m ready for scrutiny, says Emma Willis as she takes over Strictly job after audience ‘walked out’ during filming

EMMA WILLIS says she is ready for public scrutiny as she takes over as host of Strictly Come Dancing – which is a good job as she has already taken a pelting.

Alongside fellow newbies and , and pro has taken over from much-loved hosts .

watching the newcomers’ first day of filming have moaned that all three fluffed lines, had to retake scenes and even sat in the wrong positions in the studio.

But Emma said: “I’m ready for the comparisons. I am ready for the negative opinions that can come with these things.

“There’s obviously a kind of fear that comes with it because of the enormity of it, and you have nerves about being good enough to step into the role.

“But I feel like it’s really simple. We aren’t reinventing the wheel.

“We are working on an entertainment show about dancing that is meant to bring joy to everybody watching it. So hopefully we can be a small part of that joy and have a lovely time doing it.”

in 2025 after 21 years on the show which triggered a mad scramble to find their replacements.

The Sun revealed the “golden ten” up for the job as the BBC held screen tests with various combinations of hosts.

Emma said: “We aren’t and . They bring their personality, their views and love for , and we will bring our version of that, which is basically just us.”

It’s clear Emma, with years of experience on the box, will be the safe pair of hands that steers the good ship Strictly.

But as I chat to all three, it’s clear why BBC bosses backed their chemistry.

Comedian Josh, 43, chimed in: “You get these shows which change hosts from beloved hosts, and you go, ‘How’s it ever going to be the same again?’. And then you watch it, and you go, ‘Oh, it’s still Bake Off’ or it’s still

“I think what’s interesting is having a host who is a dancer — Johannes.

“And you’ve got somebody who got a ten in the Christmas special — me — but I don’t like to go on about it.”

Emma laughed: “It is all he talks about.”

Johannes, 39, added: “I had to sit with myself when I got the phone call and say, ‘What? Who do you think you are?’

“But then I called my agent.

“He said, ‘This is not tennis. This is not football. You’re speaking about what you know, your passion’.”

It’s been a year of change for Emma, who turned 50 in March then left her long-running gig on The Voice — and in May last year Prime Video axed her culinary show The World Cook after two series. But that all made space for the BBC job.

On the big birthday, Emma said: “I feel more invigorated at 50. I’m more sure of myself — I know what I want to do. I’m not going to apologise for myself and my successes like I’ve done for the last 25 years.

“We’re incredibly lucky to be doing what we do, and I’m not about to step down and slow down for anything.

“So I say, bring it on. You know, life is short. So take these opportunities when they come your way, because at some point they’ll stop.”

It was reported that during Wednesday’s pre-recorded shoot, the trio had to refilm links during the day, which began at 9am and went on for 14 hours.

They were also forced to reshoot a sofa segment as they had to reposition themselves for a better camera angle.

Meanwhile, the Clauditorium — the balcony area previously used by Claudia — has been renamed Jojo’s Dojo and The Josh Pit after the presenters who took turns to host there.

But it’s clear the trio intend to throw everything at their new role.

Josh laughed: “I’m going for the fake tan big time.

“They took us through what your week would be like, your schedule, and there’s a bit in the week for fake tanning. I was like, count me in. Here we go.

Joking, he added: “It’s not as long as I need though. On The Last Leg, we get four hours for fake tanning.”

Emma added: “That was the first topic of conversation when we walked in today — fake tans.

“I’m going to dabble with a few sequins but I’m not going to do too many because the boys have kind of called dibs on them.”

Josh said: “You’re barely going to be able to see me through my sequins.”

• Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 7.25pm on BBC1.