Matt Willis has vocally supported his wife, Emma, amidst a wave of criticism directed at her recent appointment as a co-host for 'Strictly Come Dancing'. While the new hosting team has faced a less-than-enthusiastic reception from the audience and a notable decrease in viewership compared to the previous year, Willis firmly believes in Emma's suitability for the role, highlighting her dedication and passion for the program. Emma Willis has also publicly responded to the critiques, adopting an encouraging stance against external judgment.
Willis Stands By Wife Emma Amidst 'Strictly Come Dancing' Hosting Backlash
In a recent interview, Matt Willis, the husband of Emma Willis, expressed his unwavering support for her new co-hosting position on the popular BBC program 'Strictly Come Dancing', which she helms alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. This comes after the revamped hosting lineup has been met with considerable criticism from viewers, who have voiced their dissatisfaction and noted a decline in ratings for the current season compared to 2025.
Willis shared his perspective just two days before Emma's debut on the show, remarking that while the opportunity to host 'Strictly' was unexpected, Emma deeply desired the role. He proudly stated, "Strictly was a curveball. Taking the biggest job on TV was not on our bingo card for 2026, but I'm so proud of her. And if anyone can do it, it's her. I'm stoked for her, she's perfect for it, and loves the show so much."
The criticism intensified after the first live show, where comedian Josh Widdicombe, 43, presented from the dancefloor with Emma, a role previously filled by Tess Daly. Meanwhile, Johannes Radebe, 39, conducted interviews from the auditorium, a segment typically handled by Claudia Winkleman. Viewers largely felt that Josh appeared out of place beside the experienced Emma, and he notably missed his cues on two occasions during the broadcast.
The BBC's viewership figures for the initial live show recorded 4.8 million viewers, a substantial drop from the 6.2 million reported for the previous year's first live show. This marks the first time since 2019 that the inaugural live episode has drawn fewer viewers than its pre-recorded launch show. Although the pre-recorded launch peaked slightly higher this year at 5.8 million compared to last year's 5.6 million, the average viewership fell from 5.4 million in 2025 to 5.3 million.
Emma Willis, for her part, has largely avoided direct criticism for her hosting skills. On a recent Tuesday, she subtly addressed the critiques by sharing a series of behind-the-scenes photographs on Instagram, accompanied by an inspirational quote: "You'll get judged either way, so may as well pick the fun option." Her post was met with a flood of supportive comments from fans, including a heart emoji from her co-host Johannes.
The dip in ratings and viewer backlash is occurring after a period marked by controversies surrounding the show, including allegations concerning the treatment of celebrity contestants and workplace culture. These issues led to the departure of professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima and prompted the BBC to implement stricter welfare protocols. Prior to these scandals, the 'Strictly' launch regularly attracted peak audiences of 6.7 million and averaged 6.3 million viewers in 2023.
This situation underscores the intense scrutiny public figures face in the entertainment industry. Emma Willis's commitment to her role, supported by her husband, highlights the resilience required to navigate public opinion. The show's struggle to maintain viewership also serves as a reminder that audience engagement is deeply influenced by the perceived authenticity and chemistry of its presenters, as well as broader public sentiment.
