Emma Willis's BBC Radio 2 replacement revealed amid Strictly Come Dancing gig

Ellie Taylor is stepping in to present Emma Willis's BBC Radio 2 Saturday lunchtime show, with the comedian and It Takes Two host covering the slot while Willis takes on hosting duties for Strictly Come Dancing 2026.

Taylor will front the 1pm to 3pm programme, with her first show kicking off on Saturday 26 September. The temporary handover allows Willis to focus on her Strictly presenting run after she was confirmed as part of the show's revamped hosting trio.

Announcing the news live on air, Taylor said: “I cannot wait to be back at Radio 2 and am thrilled to be looking after Willis's Saturday show while she waltzes off to Strictly. I always have so much fun with the Radio 2 listeners, who can expect plenty of great tunes, guests and surprises from me, but most importantly a lot of fun.”

Willis has fronted the live Saturday lunchtime show, a mix of guests, listener chat and music, since taking over from Zoe Ball in January 2026. Ball stepped down from the slot at the end of 2025, with Willis announced as her replacement.

The Radio 2 change comes as Willis joins Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe as the new Strictly Come Dancing presenting line-up for the 2026 series, which returns tonight (19 September). The trio take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Taylor is a familiar face to Strictly viewers, having recently been confirmed as the new host of companion series It Takes Two.

Following the news, Taylor said: "What a total joy to return to Strictly in this new role. I feel incredibly honoured to follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal line-up of hosts who've made Strictly - It Takes Two so loved over the years.

"I can't wait to immerse myself in all the gossip and sequins flying out of the ballroom in order to bring my fellow Strictly fans everything they need to know. I'm so excited, I could cha cha!"

The comedian and writer previously competed on Strictly herself in 2022, reaching the final.

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, commented: “I’m so pleased Ellie will be joining us throughout the autumn and winter – it is always such a joy to hear her on Radio 2. Her warmth and laughter will be a great addition to our superstar Saturday line up, whilst Emma sashays over to the Strictly ballroom.”

The 2026 Strictly celebrity line-up includes EastEnders' Lacey Turner, former Love Island star Dani Dyer, singer Delta Goodrem, hairstylist Chris Appleton, Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey and Gavin and Stacey actress Melanie Walters.

Strictly Come Dancing begins on Saturday 19 September at 7:25pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.