Strictly viewers question why bosses haven't shaken up trio presenting format for week two after Josh Widdicombe was dubbed 'a spare part'

Strictly Come Dancing viewers have been left frustrated on Saturday as producers failed to mix up the trio presenting format following last week's criticism. 

The new hosts - Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe - were no doubt feeling the pressure as they opened the show for week two, after the first live show's presenting format was panned by viewers - with Josh branded a 'spare part'.

However, instead of taking heed of fan comments, show bosses instead ploughed ahead with the original plan, leaving Josh and Emma presenting on the floor while Johannes was up in the 'Clauditorium'.

Taking to X, viewers called out show bosses for 'ignoring the public' as they questioned why they hadn't 'listened' to fan concerns. 

They penned: 'So they ignored the public and kept Josh downstairs doing his work experience, will Jojo talk while they walk up the stairs?'

'They’ve not changed the presenting situation then'

'Josh is downstairs. They haven't listened'.    

'When we said Josh felt like a spare part downstairs, we didn’t mean we wanted him to do more and Emma less.'

'I don't understand why they're not varying the presenting. Why is Johannes in the Clauditorium again? I'd have thought they would have swapped over and had Josh Widdicombe there this week after presenting on the floor last week.'

'I really wish they had put JoJo and Josh together upstairs.'

'Really surprised they haven’t switched and tried Josh in the upstairs role after the feedback from last week.' 

However, in a positive note for the new hosts, former pro Johannes was widely praised by fans for vastly improving on his presenting skills this week.

Last week, viewers noted the dancer began talking when the couple's were making their way up the stairs amid the applause, meaning fans were unable to hear what was being said.

But this time, the popular star has taken note of the feedback and waited before beginning his segment - and viewers were very impressed. 

They shared to X: 'Nice to see they’ve not had JoJo talk over the cheers while the couple was making their way upstairs. That’s an improvement I guess. It feels like they’re listening. A little.'

'JoJo 100% waiting for the pros to get upstairs before saying ANYTHING this week'

'Thank heavens Johannes has refrained from trying to talk over the applause as the couples walk up the stairs.'

'Now that’s better! JoJo waiting until couples are up before talking. Much better than last week.'

'Def took notes from viewers comments I think, as Johannes waiting till they got up to him before speaking.'

'Nice to that JoHannes (JoJo) is much improved on #Strictly from last week. Calmer. Less nervous. Giving guests room to breath and talk. Not talking when the couples are walking up the stairs. Good job, JoJo.'

Week two of Strictly saw the celebrities take on the Movie Week theme, with the stars performing numbers from films including The Devil Wears Prada, Mary Poppins and Zootropolis.

First up was Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin, who did a Foxtrot to Beauty and the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. 

Anton praised the Love Island star for her 'lovely' heel turn, and noted that it was 'just a joy' to watch, but Craig remarked that he'd likes to have seen 'smoother transitions'.

Dani, who was supported in the audience by footballer husband Jared Bowen, was awarded a score of 23 after Motsi told her the dance was 'beautiful and very elegant' but she needed to work on her spinning after going off balance.

Last week, Dani scored 22 points for her Samba and so scored 45 points in total. 

After topping the leaderboard last week, John Nellis, 33, and Katya Jones, 37, danced the first Couple’s Choice of the series to An Irish Party in Third Class from Titanic.

Shirley Ballas said she 'totally enjoyed the dance', while Anton Du Beke told John not to be so hesitant with lifting Katya. 

Craig gave a low score of four but Shirley and Anton awarded seven points, giving a total score of 23 points to be added to last week's top score of 31. This gives him a combined score of 54.

Delta Goodrem, 41, and Kai Widdrington, 31, danced the American Smooth to I’ll Never Love Again from A Star Is Born.

Craig told Delta: 'There was quite a bump and a little bit of gapping but darling you have the length of bone for this dance. I thought your arms were absolutely beautiful'.

Delta got scores of eight from Craig and Anton, which brought in an overall score of 30.

Adding on her 29 points from last week, she has an impressive 59 points in total.

Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden channelled their inner lifeguards as they did the Cha Cha to I’m Always Here from Baywatch. 

While fans at home were no doubt impressed by his ab-flashing mid-routine, it wasn't enough to distract Craig from his Chris' poor footwork.

The pair were awarded a relatively low 17 points, and in addition to last week's 16, the pair earned an overall combined total of 33 points.

Up next, Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystał performed the Viennese Waltz to Le Festin from Ratatouille. 

Anton remarked: 'compliment to the chef, wonderful open work, needs work in hold, arms are twisted but you are magic', however, Craig noted that Lawrence's 'posture and frame need work'.

The pair were awarded 19 points, one down from last week's 20, meaning they had a combined score of 39 points.

Taking to the floor next, Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon danced the Charleston to Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious from Mary Poppins. 

A majority of the judges were impressed, with Motsi stating it was the 'biggest improvement of the night, you opened up, neat swivel, got better as it went on.'

While Craig put a dampener on things, adding: 'too tame and careful, lacked wild abandon but parts were gaw-jus.'

The pair scored 24 points, a huge improvement from last week's 15, meaning they scored an overall 39 points.

Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley got serious as they danced the Waltz to The Godfather Waltz from The Godfather. 

Their dark and moody performance certainly went down well with the judges, with Craig sending fans wild as he declared: 'I absolutely loved it!'

Motsi called it 'mesmerising', while Shirley said the dance 'technically tested him but executed beautifully.' 

The pair's efforts garnered them a very impressive 31 points and when combined with last week's 24 points, they scored an overall 55 points. 

Will Best and Dianne Buswell did the Foxtrot to Old Time Rock & Roll from Risky Business.

Anton remarked he loved 'half of it', noting that there was 'great open work but all the energy dropped out of it in hold and went wrong in the end'. However, Shirley pointed out that Will's lack of trousers meant she could see his 'flat feet'.

The duo scored 19 points, up from last week's 18 points, meaning their combined score was 37 points. 

It comes after the first live show last week brought in fewer viewers than the pre-recorded launch episode for the first time in seven years. 

Viewers complained about the new presenters missing cues and fluffing lines and asked the big question – why did the BBC hire three to do a two-man job?  

During the launch, the three rotated positions in the Elstree studio, seemingly trying Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's jobs for size. But with three vying for two roles, viewers soon singled out the 'spare part', homing in on Josh.

For the first live show Emma, the most experienced presenter of the three, took over Tess's position down on the dancefloor, looking out for the nervous contestants during the judges' critique. 

Johannes meanwhile was up in the 'Clauditorium', debriefing with his fellow pros and their partners. 

That left Josh, who was placed by Emma's side adding the punchlines to her commentary, but the decision to split Tess's role didn't go down well with viewers who remarked that the comedian looked like a 'spare part' next to seasoned professional Emma.

Josh's inexperience, and nerves, were evident when he awkwardly missed his cue during a link.

Critics and viewers have argued though that 'Josh is really not the problem,' criticising BBC bosses for hiring three hosts and misassigning their roles.

Josh, well versed in comedy live telly thanks to his 14 years on Channel 4's The Last Leg, should have been given Claudia's role, argued many fans, pointing out that his gag-filled commentary works best as a soloist. 

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

There will however of course be some watching in the coming days on catch up which will boost that number.

The show also faced some stiff competition as England were playing Spain in the UEFA Nations League at Wembley. The match was broadcast on ITV1 and brought in three million live viewers.

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

Later in the week, Emma responded to Strictly criticism with a cryptic post.

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

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