Emma Willis Hints That a Beloved Strictly Come Dancing Tradition Could Be Changed

With September fast approaching, fans of Strictly Come Dancing are preparing for the return of one of the BBC’s biggest entertainment shows. However, the upcoming series will look noticeably different from previous years, with several major changes being introduced behind and in front of the cameras.

The 24th season of the long-running dance competition is set to arrive on BBC One with a new presenting team following the departures of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.

After months of speculation about who would take over from the much-loved presenting duo, the BBC confirmed in May that Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe would form the new hosting line-up.

The changes do not stop there. Comedian Ellie Taylor has also been selected to take charge of the companion programme It Takes Two, replacing the previous presenting arrangement and helping to usher in a new era for the Strictly franchise.

Although the judging panel will remain unchanged, with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke continuing in their familiar roles, another important element of the main show could be given a makeover.

Willis has suggested that one of Strictly’s most recognisable traditions may have to be reconsidered because of the new three-person presenting format.

The presenter recently discussed the issue while appearing on Magic FM to promote the upcoming season of Love Is Blind UK, alongside her husband Matt Willis.

During the interview, presenter Harriet Scott asked Emma about one of the programme’s most famous moments: the dramatic and often playful “keeeeeep dancing” sequence.

For years, the phrase has become closely associated with Strictly Come Dancing. It is usually accompanied by presenters or contestants moving towards the camera in a particular formation, creating one of the show’s instantly recognisable visual moments.

However, the tradition has generally involved two people standing or moving together.

That could prove difficult this year because the main presenting team consists of three people rather than two.

Willis acknowledged the problem almost immediately.

“That is difficult with three. Right?” she said, highlighting the practical challenge of recreating the familiar sequence with an additional presenter.

She went on to explain that the production team is currently experimenting with different combinations and arrangements as they prepare for the new series.

According to Willis, the presenters have already been involved in a number of production days, where they have been testing different ways of working together.

The team is reportedly considering questions such as which presenters should appear together, how different sections of the programme should be handled and how the new three-host structure can work effectively on screen.

Rather than confirming that the famous “keep dancing” moment will disappear completely, Willis suggested that the production team will probably come up with an alternative.

She indicated that some form of the tradition is likely to remain, even if the exact format changes.

This means viewers may still hear the familiar phrase when the new series begins, but they could see it performed in a completely different way.

The adjustment is just one of several changes being introduced as Strictly Come Dancing enters a new chapter.

One of the biggest confirmed changes concerns the way professional partnerships will be revealed.

For the upcoming series, celebrity contestants will not find out who their professional dance partners are until the launch show.

This arrangement brings the programme back to a format that was previously used before the Covid-19 pandemic.

In recent years, viewers became accustomed to finding out about the professional pairings through the show’s established pre-launch process.

Returning to the launch-show reveal is expected to add another element of suspense and excitement for both the celebrities and the audience.

The celebrities themselves will have to wait until the official launch before discovering which professional dancer they will be working with throughout the competition.

That could make the opening episode particularly entertaining, as viewers will get to witness the genuine reactions of the contestants when their partners are finally revealed.

The changes also extend to the spin-off programme It Takes Two.

Ellie Taylor will lead the updated version of the companion show, which will feature a different approach to interviews.

Instead of concentrating primarily on individual couples, the revised format will bring groups of celebrities and professional dancers together.

Taylor has suggested that the new approach will allow viewers to see relationships and friendships developing between contestants in a way that has not always been visible in previous seasons.

The comedian believes that putting several people together in the same conversation could create a stronger sense of camaraderie.

It may also encourage more relaxed and spontaneous exchanges than traditional one-to-one interviews.

Taylor has described the new format as an opportunity to showcase a side of the Strictly experience that audiences may not normally see.

Rather than simply discussing performances, scores and technical dance details, the programme is expected to provide more informal and candid conversations.

Viewers are also promised a greater role in the revamped companion show.

This could mean more opportunities for fans to interact with the programme, contribute to discussions or become involved in some of its features.

The changes appear to reflect an attempt by the BBC to modernise the Strictly format while preserving the elements that have made the programme successful for so many years.

The departure of Winkleman and Daly represents one of the most significant changes in the programme’s recent history.

Both presenters became strongly associated with the show, making the introduction of three new hosts a considerable shift.

Willis brings extensive experience from television and radio, while Widdicombe offers his established comedic style. Radebe, meanwhile, provides a unique connection to the professional dancing community, having been a prominent figure on the show himself.

How the three will divide their responsibilities remains one of the major questions ahead of the new series.

The production team appears to be using rehearsals and production days to work out the most effective combinations.

That experimentation could ultimately result in a presenting style that feels different from previous seasons while retaining the familiar atmosphere that audiences expect from Strictly.

The possible alteration to the “keep dancing” moment may seem relatively small compared with the departure of two long-serving hosts, but it highlights how even the programme’s most established traditions may need to evolve.

For longtime viewers, seeing whether the iconic sequence survives in its traditional form could become one of the fun little details to watch for when the series returns.

Emma Willis has not suggested that the tradition is definitely being removed.

Instead, her comments indicate that the production team is still considering how to make it work with three presenters.

Whatever decision is ultimately made, the upcoming series is clearly shaping up to be a new chapter for Strictly Come Dancing.

The judging panel remains familiar, the celebrity-professional partnerships are returning to a classic reveal format, and both the main programme and It Takes Two are introducing new presenting teams and production ideas.

For viewers, September will therefore bring a combination of familiarity and change.

The essential ingredients of Strictly — dancing, competition, celebrity personalities, professional choreography and the familiar judging panel — will remain.

But with a completely new presenting dynamic and several format adjustments, the show is likely to feel noticeably different when it returns.

And if Emma Willis and her fellow presenters can find a creative solution to the famous “keeeeep dancing” moment, fans may discover that even the programme’s most recognisable traditions can evolve without losing their charm.