Broadcaster Emma Willis has named comedian Ellie Taylor as the new host of Strictly: It Takes Two following a summer family holiday in Corfu. The 50-year-old presenter made the announcement live during her Saturday lunchtime show on BBC Radio 2 following her summer break with husband Matt Willis and their three children.
Taylor joined Willis in the studio for a special edition of the radio programme to reveal the appointment to listeners. Willis, who has presented major series including Big Brother and The Voice UK, expressed her delight during the broadcast, telling Taylor she was thrilled that they were in it together.
Introducing her guest on air, Willis told listeners: "With me right now is the brand new host of It Takes Two! Mystery host of It Takes Two..." before revealing that Taylor had secured the presenting role on the BBC Two companion show.
Taylor admitted it was a relief to finally break her silence after keeping the appointment secret for several weeks. "I am over the moon! I feel giddy. So nice to get the secret out. I've had the theme tune in my head since I found out... I was like 'stop it woman!'" she said.
The comedian compared the experience to when she was first cast as a celebrity dancer on the flagship BBC One ballroom series. "It was the same when I found out I was a contestant. I am so thrilled to be back in the Strictly world. I found out a month ago, but I've been a good girl," Taylor added, revealing: "I told mummy and my partner. I didn't tell the kids."
In an official statement released alongside the radio announcement, Taylor spoke of her pride at taking over the weeknight spin-off. "What a total joy to return to Strictly in this new role. I feel incredibly honoured to follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal line-up of hosts who've made Strictly: It Takes Two so loved over the years," she said.
"I can't wait to immerse myself in all the gossip and sequins flying out of the ballroom in order to bring my fellow Strictly fans everything they need to know. I'm so excited, I could cha cha! (But I won't - don't worry... no one needs to see that again.)"
Strictly Come Dancing Revamp
Taylor had been hotly tipped to land the presenter role earlier this month after former co-hosts Fleur East and Janette Manrara were replaced following the 2025 series. Strictly: It Takes Two, which airs weeknights on BBC Two, provides viewers with behind-the-scenes access, training room footage, and panel analysis of the main show's dance couples.
The appointment comes amid a major production revamp across the entire Strictly franchise ahead of the 2026 series. Long-standing main show presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been replaced by Willis, stand-up comedian Josh Widdicombe, and South African professional dancer Johannes Radebe, while several professional dancers have also departed the line-up.
A source told The Sun that Taylor was highly regarded by executive producers following her stint as a contestant on season 20 in 2022, where she reached the ninth week of the competition alongside Radebe. "Ellie was hugely popular with viewers when she appeared as a contestant on Strictly in 2022, and her infectious personality was also a hit with the senior production team," the source said.
"She very much featured in the discussions when they were looking to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on the main show, and although she didn't get that job, she remained in the executive team's thoughts," the source added. "They were very keen to get her on It Takes Two which they felt was too boring and needed a major revamp."
Family Sailing Trip in Greece
Before returning to London for her Radio 2 broadcast, Willis enjoyed an extended summer sailing holiday in Corfu with her family. She shared a series of personal photographs from the getaway featuring her 43-year-old husband Matt, who rose to fame as a bassist and co-vocalist in the pop-punk band Busted, and their three children: Isabella, 17, Ace, 14, and Trixie, 10.
Corfu, an island in the Ionian Sea off the northwest coast of mainland Greece, is known for its dramatic coastline and popularity with British holidaymakers. The family were also joined on the trip by Willis's parents, Cathy and Steve Griffiths, for what appeared to be a fun-filled vacation both on land and at sea.
Several photos posted online showed the couple beaming for a selfie on board a sailing yacht while wearing swimwear and sunglasses. Willis also captured a windswept selfie from the vessel as they navigated the coastal waters around the island.
On land, the family spent time relaxing by the pool and exploring local sights. In one photograph, Matt was seen walking along laden with pink inflatable pool toys after a day swimming.
The family also engaged in watersports and spent time crabbing along the shore, with Trixie and Matt pictured taking part in the seaside activity together. Another photograph captured Ace and Trixie walking along a wooden board, while the family stood together at the end of a pier watching the water.
Willis also highlighted a familiar taste of home during their Mediterranean trip, expressing her delight at finding a Marks and Spencer store on the Greek island. She posted a picture of Matt holding a selection of food treats purchased from the supermarket chain.
Following her return to the UK, Willis resumed her regular weekend broadcasting duties on BBC Radio 2, where she hosts her lunchtime show while preparing for her upcoming television role on the main series of Strictly Come Dancing.
