TV star misses out on Strictly hosting gig after ‘gruelling’ 2.5-hour audition

Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis, and Johannes Radebe beat tough competition to become the new Strictly hosts (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire) While Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe were successful in their Strictly Come Dancing host auditions, some other surprising stars were not. Over the weekend, the trio made their live TV debut as the couples of 2026 took to the dance floor for the first time, with opinions on the new line-up mixed, to say the least. While many have praised seasoned broadcaster Emma, comedian Josh still needs to win viewers over, as cruel social media comments criticised his presenting skills and even branded him a ‘spare part’. The battle to step into Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s sparkly shoes became one of the most sought-after TV gigs, potentially ever, with major names rumoured to be up for the job. Now, details of the ‘gruelling’ audition process have been revealed, with one This Morning star confessing it was so tough that it reduced her to tears afterwards. Get personalised updates on Strictly Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Capital FM’s Sian Welby, 40, has shared that she auditioned for BBC bosses earlier this year, and she’d ‘never wanted to impress so much’. Sian Welby has revealed the ‘gruelling’ auditions lasted for 2.5 hours (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) The auditions were two and a half hours long, with Sian calling it ‘mad’. ‘It was an absolute honour to be in the mix, but it was a gruelling process with no messing about,’ Sian explained to OK! Magazine. ‘I left the audition, got in the car and burst out crying. It was the adrenaline. I’d never concentrated so hard or wanted to impress so much.’ Still, she’s not bitter about missing out, accepting that it ‘wasn’t [her] time’. ‘I really did want to show them I could do the job,’ she expressed. ‘But it was tough, and I left going, “I don’t know if I’ve nailed that or if it was an absolute car crash.” ‘And afterwards, I almost had no memory of it. It was like being in shock.’ Who else missed out on the Strictly host job? Clara Amfo Clara Amfo also went for the job (Picture: Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/WireImage) BBC Radio 1 presenter Clara Amfo confirmed on her podcast, Into It, last week that she was also up for the role. ‘I can say it publicly now,’ she told co-host Munroe Bergdorf. ‘I tried out for the main job of Strictly Come Dancing. Didn’t get it. [I was a] bit gutted at the time, but quickly got over it.’ She added that she auditioned ‘with another presenter’ but didn’t give a name. Echoing Sian’s comments, Clara described the process as ‘intense’, insisting she’s ‘never mad at losing out’ to people who are ‘really, really good at their jobs’. ‘Big up Emma Willis. We get on fantastically well. She’s going to be amazing,’ she praised. ‘Johannes Radebe, that’s my boy; we love Jojo, and Josh Widdicombe – lovely, lovely man.’ Zoe Ball Zoe Ball was one of the favourites to get the gig (Picture: Rachel Joseph/Comic Relief via Getty Images) Former It Takes Two host Zoe Ball was one of the broadcasters widely tipped to land the role. Alas, she, too, was unsuccessful. Speaking on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, she said: ‘I didn’t get it, but it’s OK. ‘I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days.’ Zoe added at the time that those who did get the job were ‘going to be fabulous’, assuring viewers they were likely to be ‘in safe hands’. She maintained that she was ‘so chuffed to even be in the mix’ and to have a chance at ‘one last little play at a show that [she] loves’. ‘There were some pretty amazing people who didn’t even make it into the mix.’ Rylan Clark Rylan Clark confirmed he was also ‘in the race’ (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) Another bookie’s favourite was Rylan Clark, since he also previously hosted sister show It Takes Two. And after Emma, Josh, and Johannes were announced, he issued a statement reading: ‘Just wanted to say as it was reported I was in “The Race” for Strictly, the biggest congrats to my Emma and equal congrats to Johannes and Josh. You’re all going to have the best time. Made up for yous.’ He added about losing out: ‘This wasn’t my time sadly but am extremely grateful to even have been considered.’ Rylan joked that he was ‘taking the news really well’, adding a clip of his famous X Factor breakdown when he sobbed into Nicole Scherzinger’s lap at Judges’ Houses. Sara Cox Sara Cox told BBC Radio 2 listeners that she tried out (Picture: BBC/Sarah Louise Bennett) Another radio favourite who went for the gig was Sara Cox, who told her listeners: ‘I tried out for Strictly!’ ‘I went along, and it was the most gorgeous experience,’ she added on the Breakfast Show. ‘The whole thing was really great fun.’ Fleur East Fleur East previously hosted spin-off show It Takes Two (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston) After she and Janette Manrara were replaced by Ellie Taylor on It Takes Two, Fleur East tried out for a hosting spot on the main show, having also been a runner-up in 2022. Speaking to co-hosts Will Best and James Barr on Hits Radio Breakfast, Fleur began: ‘Alright, I’m going to say it.’ ‘So I did say initially, after Tess and Claudia announced they were leaving Strictly. And Will, you were doing the odds checker, and you were saying, “Fleur, you’re at the top, you’re one of the favourites to do it.” I did say, “You know, yeah, but you know, it’s probably not going to happen, and I’m happy for whoever gets it.” ‘And we were just talking about Emma Willis being announced. And I was like, “Yeah, great, amazing,” but so many people have asked me, “But wouldn’t you love to do it?”‘ Fleur added that she’d ‘kind of lied’ to herself about being fine with not doing it or being considered. ‘But I think I’m kind of bothered,’ she confessed, to which Will, who is competing this series, assured her: ‘That’s totally understandable.’ She said she was ‘coming to terms’ with the whole thing, having felt OK until confirmation that someone else would be doing it, having still been thinking ‘they might call me one day’. The new hosting trio has divided opinion (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston) Still, Fleur wished the new hosting trio well, as did predecessors Tess and Claudia. ‘Can’t wait to tune in 😍 the ultimate trio 🔥💕’, Tess commented on the announcement video. ‘MAGNIFICENT. What a trio ❤️❤️❤️❤️’, echoed Claudia. Others known to have gone for the role include Angela Scanlon and Alex Jones, while Miranda Hart was reportedly turned down. Alison Hammond, Bradley Walsh, La Voix, and Tom Allen also had their names floating around the press. Deals of the Day I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 Oodie’s cosy blanket sale has arrived just in time for Christmas shopping Save over £700 on Simba's top-rated mattresses in this limited-time sale Strictly Come Dancing airs at weekends on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. 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