Emma Willis responds to Strictly criticism with cryptic post about 'being judged' after live show suffered rating slump

Emma Willis has responded to Strictly criticism with a cryptic post after the live show suffered a ratings slump.

Things got off to a shaky start on Saturday's first live show with new presenting team Josh Widdicombe, Emma and Johannes Radebe taking the reins as viewers weren't convinced by the set-up.

Now, taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Emma shared a series of behind-the-scenes snaps from the show as she brushed off any critique with a inspiring quote about breaking free from judgement. 

It read: 'You'll get judged either way, so may as well pick the fun option.' 

On Saturday night comedian Josh, 43, was presenting from the dancefloor with Emma, 50, as Tess did previously, while Johannes, 39, interviewed the stars from the auditorium like Claudia.

However, the decision didn't go down well with viewers, who remarked that Josh looked like a 'spare part' next to seasoned professional Emma, before noticing that he missed his cue twice during the show. 

And the BBC also failed to pull in as many viewers as they perhaps would have wanted, as 4.8 million tuned in – down substantially on last year's 6.2 million for the first live show.

Emma herself has evaded most of the criticism for her hosting performance and her comments were flooded with support from her fans, including Johannes, who left a red heart emoji.

It is the first time since 2019 that the first live show has rated lower than the pre-recorded launch show. 

Last Saturday's pre-recorded launch show peaked at 5.8 million viewers, according to overnight figures, up slightly on last year's peak of 5.6 million.

However, the episode averaged at 5.3 million viewers, down from 5.4 million in 2025.

While the peak figure represents a small rise on last year, it remains well below the figures recorded before the programme was hit by a series of controversies.

This includes allegations about the treatment of celebrity contestants and the culture behind the scenes, leading to the departure of professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima and prompting the BBC to introduce tougher welfare measures.

Before the string of scandals, the Strictly launch peaked at 6.7 million viewers and averaged 6.3 million in 2023.

A Strictly spokesman said: 'Strictly was the most watched programme of the night, with a peak of 5 million viewers. As ever, overnight ratings do not give the full picture of all those who watch in an on-demand world.' 

Emma, Josh and Johannes have received mixed reactions since they took over from Tess and Claudia, who departed the BBC show at the end of the 2025 series. 

No doubt with a lot on her mind, Emma joked she was feeling 'nervous' about the live aspect of the show before introducing the judges and contestants to the stage.

And after it was revealed Josh and Emma would present together on the dance floor, Josh was branded a 'spare part' by some. 

He did, however, earn some praise for making a 'change partners' joke, in a playful throwback to the new musical chairs-style format used to announce the pairs in the launch show. 

As Josh stood on the dancefloor looking bemused, Emma, Johannes and judge Craig appeared alongside him, while Josh wailed 'change partners', leaving viewers in hysterics. 

Many reacted to the new trio on X as they penned: 'I'm not going to be one of the people hating on Josh. For me the problem is that three hosts just aren't needed. He's just standing there awkwardly next to Emma without much to do. Josh should've been up where Johannes is and Johannes should be dancing imo.',

'ngl, i'm not a fan of this hosts setup. I'd switch jojo and josh around, why book a comedian and not put him causing chaos and fun in the clauditorium (or whatever we call it these days) #Strictly.',

'Ok. I still don't feel it. It might have fared better if it was just Josh upstairs and Emma on her own. I feel that dynamic would've had more flow. What's everyone else thinking??.',

'Everyone is being quite hard on Josh but he's really not the problem. He should be up in the Clauditorium to crack jokes with the contestants. Emma is fantastic and such a natural so she should be on her own on the main floor. Three hosts are too much.'

No one will be leaving the show this week, with the scores from week one combined with next week's before the first elimination next Sunday.