Emma Willis recently shared a series of family photos from a summer sailing trip in Corfu, Greece. Upon returning to her BBC Radio 2 duties, the presenter announced that Ellie Taylor will be the new host of Strictly: It Takes Two.
Sailing, Crabbing, and M&S Treats in Corfu
The Willis family, including Emma's husband Matt and their three children—Isabella, Ace,and Trixie—recently enjoyed a summer getaway in Corfu. As the report notes, the family was joined by Emma's parents, Cathy and Steve Griffiths, for a holiday that featured activities ranging from watersports to crabbing.
Emma Willis, 50, shared several glimpses of the trip on social media, including selfies from a sailing yacht and photos of Matt Willis carrying pink inflatables after a day by the pool. the presenter even highlighted a local Marks and Spencer, showing Matt holding a selection of supermarket treats.
Ellie Taylor’s transition from 2022 contestant to host
Ellie Taylor will step into a major new role as the presenter of Strictly: It Takes Two, a move Emma Willis revealed during her Saturday BBC Radio 2 program. Taylor, who previously appeared as a contestant on Strictly in 2022, expressed her excitement , noting that she had been keeping the news a secret from everyone except her family for a month.
The announcement came during a "Strictly special" segment where Taylor joined Willis on air. According to the source,Taylor felt "giddy" about the news and mentioned that the show's theme tune had been stuck in her head since she found out about the appointment.
The 2026 overhaul replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
The BBC is currently implementing a massive structural overhaul of the Strictly Come Dancing franchise ahead of the 2026 series. This transition involves the departure of long-standing main presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who are being replcaed by a new lineup including Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
This shake-up is not limited to the main ballroom stage; it extends to the spin-off show, It Takes Two. The report indicates that Fleur East and Janette Manrara , who hosted the program during the 2025 series, are also being replaced as part of this wider creative refresh.
The quest to fix an 'It Takes Two' that felt 'too boring'
The decision to bring in Ellie Taylor appears to be a strategic move to revitalize a program that production leaders felt had lost its edge. A source told The Sun that the executive team believed It Takes Two had become "too boring" and required a significant revamp to maintain viewer interest.
While Taylor was a candidate for the main Strictly presenting role , the production team ultimately felt her "infectious personality" was the perfect fit for the spin-off. However, several questions remain regarding the full scope of the BBC's changes. It is still unverified which specific professional dancers will be among those "given the boot" during this transition. Additionally, while the source claims the executive team was keen to revamp the show, it remains to be seen how the new format will balance the "gossip and sequins" that fans have come to expect.
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