Strictly Come Dancing 2026 fans think there needs to be one major change following first live show

Strictly Come Dancing returned to BBC One tonight as the 15 couples took to the dance floor for their first routine together, with the four judges offering feedback as they awarded them their scores.

It was of course the first - live - outing for the new hosting trio of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, with last weekend's pre-recorded launch show offering some clues as to how they would work together.

It wasn't yet clear who would be placed where during the live show, though it soon became apparent. Emma and Josh were downstairs near the judges, while Johannes was placed upstairs next to the couples.

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While the trio have been welcomed overall, several viewers of the long-running BBC series have questioned if it's the best use of each presenter's ability, with some thinking that comedian Josh should be upstairs instead of Johannes.

"People are definitely overreacting with the presenters - do I think they should swap Johannes and Josh, maybe. But it's really not as bad as people are saying," wrote one user on X, with another replying: "Yeah agree.. it's the first show.. needs to marinate a bit."

Another viewer echoed this sentiment, writing: "Struggling with Strictly set up… love Emma… can't help but think Josh should be up on the balcony have a bit of craic with all the dancers."

"Put Josh upstairs and Johannes down with Emma. Josh is better with the comedy bits. And Johannes is too quiet for upstairs," noted one fan, while another wrote: "Josh needs to be upstairs and have the opportunity to have a laugh. Emma can handle downstairs on her own."

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"Josh should be upstairs with the contestants and pros. I think he would shine more up there. What an absolute waste. There doesn’t need to be 3 hosts as I said last week," wrote another fan.

In the competition itself, it was a great night for John Nellis and Katya Jones, who found themselves at the top of the leaderboard after scoring 31 for the foxtrot. Despite two couples scoring a measly 15, they can rest easy as there's no elimination this week.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.

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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media.  His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.