Emma Willis’ Radio 2 replacement revealed as star takes time off air to present Strictly Come Dancing

EMMA Willis is taking the autumn off from her weekly Radio 2 show while she presents Strictly Come Dancing. Her final show of the season began at 1pm today and features Strictly judge Anton du Beke as a guest. Emma Willis is taking time away from Radio 2 to host Strictly Credit: BBC Ellie Taylor will fill in for Emma from next Saturday Credit: Getty Filling in for her from next Saturday in the 1pm-3pm slot is comedian and TV star Ellie Taylor. “I cannot wait to be back at Radio 2 and am thrilled to be looking after Emma’s Saturday show while she waltzes off to Strictly,” said Ellie. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! “I always have so much fun with the Radio 2 listeners, who can expect plenty of great tunes, guests and surprises from me, but most importantly a lot of fun.” Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, added: “I’m so pleased Ellie will be joining us throughout the autumn and winter – it is always such a joy to hear her on Radio 2. “Her warmth and laughter will be a great addition to our superstar Saturday line up, whilst Emma sashays over to the Strictly ballroom.” It’s been a bumper year for Ellie, who made it to week 10 of Strictly with Johannes Radebe in 2022. She has been named as the new host of Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two which starts on Monday, September 28. Meanwhile, Emma, who along with Josh Widdicombe and Johannes has replaced long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, recently spoke about handling the pressure. Most read in Showbiz She told us: “I’m ready for the comparisons. I am ready for the negative opinions that can come with these things. “There’s a kind of fear that comes with it because of the enormity of it, and you have nerves about being good enough to step into the role. But I feel like it’s simple. We aren’t reinventing the wheel. “We are working on an entertainment show about dancing that is meant to bring joy to everybody watching it. So hopefully we can be a small part of that joy and have a lovely time doing it.” Comment now