Strictly Come Dancing fans react after Motsi Mabuse asks new host Josh Widdicombe if they'll be "friends or enemies"

Motsi Mabuse had some stern words for Josh Widdicombe during the first Strictly Come Dancing 2026 live show.

Following Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon's performance, Craig Revel Horwood gave his criticisms, his fellow judge Mabuse agreed.

As she shared that she agreed with Craig in an exchange, host Josh Widdicombe joked it was time to hear from head judge Shirley Ballas, moving on from Mabuse, who then joked: "Are we going to be friends or enemies? You choose now!"

The moment has gone down well with fans, who have shared their reactions online, with one viewer writing: "Motsi and Shirley absolutely destroyed Josh there."

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"Josh feared for his P45 in week 1. Motsi ate him up," another joked.

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One user wrote: "Love the banter between Josh, Craig and Motsi."

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Widdicombe, alongside co-hosts Johaness Radebe and Emma Willis, were announced as the new hosts earlier this year, marking a new era for Strictly Come Dancing.

In a statement at the time, Widdicombe said: "Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas special of Strictly remains my career high point, so I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television.

"I adore Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them. I’ll dust off the penguin costume."

Tonight marks the first live show for not only the celebrities but also for Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe, the latter of whom had a slight emotional moment as the show began.

Once the celebrities and their dance partners were welcomed to the dance floor, co-hosts Widdicombe and Willis jokingly consoled Radebe as he said he was slightly emotional, saying: "I have missed you all!"

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 26 September at 6:15pm 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.