Strictly's new host Emma Willis confesses that even she hasn't heard of some of the celeb lineup but insists BBC show has to appeal to new generation

Even Strictly's new lead presenter Emma Willis has admitted she hasn't heard of some of the celeb contestants in the 2026 series.

The BBC's flagship show has been panned by fans for what's been widely considered the weakest lineup in the show's 22-year history.

Insiders have revealed that bosses are desperate to appeal to a new, younger generation of viewers, snapping up social media stars and pushing out professional dancers who don't have a bulging follower count.

And now Emma, one of a trio of new hosts replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, has admitted she struggled to place some of the new batch of celebs. 

'There are a couple I haven't heard of,' she told The Sunday Times Style, before covering herself by pointing out 'but then I looked and was like, oh, a football guy, that isn't really my bag.'

'It's good we're bringing people in. We need to take into consideration there are so many different mediums now and you've got to appeal to multi-generations,' Emma continued.

Even Strictly's new lead presenter Emma Willis has admitted she hasn't heard of some of the celeb contestants in the 2026 series

The BBC's flagship show has been panned by fans for what's been widely considered the weakest lineup in the show's 22-year history

'If it was all people maybe our generation knew, then kids would be like, "I don't know who they are."

Citing last year's runner up, 26-year-old YouTuber George Clarke, she added: 'I didn't know who he was, but my God he was phenomenal. It's the same every year.'

This year's lineup includes sports YouTube star John Nellis, dog trainer Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hall and Kim Kardashian's hair stylist Chris Appleton among others.

Four years ago Emma revealed she was almost signed up as a contestant, getting as far as a day's test dancing with her husband, Busted star Matt Willis as producers vyed to get the couple to compete against each other.

Ultimately their busy schedules didn't allow the presenters to take part, but four years on, and after a gruelling audition process where she beat the likes of Zoe Ball, Emma is now one of the new presenters alongside comedian Josh Widdicombe and dancer Johannes Radebe.  

Insiders have previously revealed the broadcaster has a casting strategy as part of its overhaul of Strictly and has been deliberate in its targeting of celebrities with big social media followings in a ploy to attract younger viewers to the show.

It has been suggested this is to follow a similar, hugely successful social media strategy employed by its US counterpart Dancing With The Stars. 

Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian's hair stylist Chris Appleton might not be a household name, but he does boast a huge social media following with 4million fans on Instagram.

Emma, one of a trio of new hosts replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman , has admitted she struggled to place some of the new batch of celebs. Pictured with Josh WIddicombe and Johannes Radebe

Sports YouTuber John Nellis has an even bigger fanbase, with 15.7million YouTube subscribers.

Dancing With The Stars has used their celebrity contestants' followings to their advantage, introducing a TikTok Night last year – an episode which saw the contestants perform viral dance routines, sparking an uptick in interaction from younger viewers.

The Dancing With The Stars TikTok account now has more than 5million followers, in comparison to Strictly's 670,000.

And even before this year's Strictly line-up was announced, the professional dancers fell victim to the same strategy. In recent months popular dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk and Gorka Marquez have all been given the boot.

It's understood pros with bigger online followings have been chosen over dancers who are not so TikTok friendly as the series tries desperately to attract a younger audience.

One example appears to be axed Bychkova, who has 214,000 Insta followers, while Dianne Buswell, with 1.2million Instagram followers and 973,000 on TikTok, has kept her place in the line-up.

Meanwhile five new young pros have been recruited with ballroom champ Maddie Ingoldsby boasting 364,000 TikTok followers. 

The trio of new hosts also have a strong online presence. Comedian Josh has more than half a million Instagram followers on his personal account whilst the Insta page for his hugely popular podcast Parenting Hell has 250,000.

Emma has 2million Instagram followers and fan-favourite dancer Johannes has 458,000 followers.   

The insider has explained that the BBC struggles to attract big-name celebrities these days, because the landscape has changed.

The source told The Sun: 'Crucially the pipeline that used to feed these big shows has changed.

'Boyband and girlband stars aren't as prevalent any more and, once upon a time, getting someone from a soap or a big drama was a massive deal, but now even that has diminished somewhat.

'Now, though, social media is continuing to boom and big stars from the world of TikTok, YouTube and Instagram are known to a vast section of society.'

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

LACEY TURNER 

AGE: 38

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders 

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'

DELTA GOODREM

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'

CACH MERCER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'

DAME SARAH STOREY

AGE: 48

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian 

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'

BETHANY ANTONIA 

AGE: 28

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'

GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALL

AGE: 59

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'

TABBY STOECKER 

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'

MELANIE WALTERS 

AGE: 64

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.'

DANI DYER

AGE: 30

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'

CHRIS APPLETON

AGE: 43

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'

WILL BEST

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'

JAIME WINSTONE

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS 

AGE: 44

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'

LAWRENCE ROBB

AGE: 34

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV's Emmerdale

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!'

JOHN NELLIS 

AGE: 33

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channel

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!'