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Strictly's Chris McCausland says replacing Claudia 'would have been a mistake'

Former Strictly Come Dancing winner, Chris McCausland, has opened up on the BBC show's huge shake-up for 2026

[Two individuals, dressed in festive attire, are standing close together on a stage, their hands raised in celebration. The backdrop features vibrant, multicolored lights, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.]

Former Strictly Come Dancing winner, Chris McCausland, has opened up on the BBC show's huge shake-up for 2026(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire )

It's nearly two years since Chris McCausland won Strictly Come Dancing with professional dancer Dianne Buswell.

The comedian, 49, who was the first ever blind contestant to appear on the show in 2024, took home the Glitterball trophy with Dianne, 37.

Their emotional waltz, which included Chris dancing unaided and unsighted on his own, won the British Academy Television Award for Memorable Moment at the 2025 British Academy Television Awards.

During Chris' time on the BBC One competition, Strictly was hosted by show veterans Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

However, in 2025, Tess and Claudia announced they would be leaving the series with Tess having hosted the show from the very start in 2004 - Claudia joined as co-presenter in 2014.

[It's nearly two years since Chris McCausland won Strictly Come Dancing with professional dancer Dianne Buswell]

It's nearly two years since Chris McCausland won Strictly Come Dancing with professional dancer Dianne Buswell(Image: BBC)

Since then, it was announced back in May that Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe would be taking over Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess and Claudia.

Talking about the new presenting trio, Chris told RadioTimes: "Josh is a mate of mine. Hes quick and funny, but also very warm, and I think thats what the show needs.

"Trying to replace Claudia directly would have been a mistake. Josh is such a different proposition that I dont think people will compare him to Claudia in the same way they might have done if theyd got another female presenter. I think hell be brilliant."

[Strictly Come Dancing]

However, in 2025, Tess and Claudia announced they would be leaving the series (Image: PA)

It comes as Josh, 43, said of landing the Strictly Come Dancing presenting gig: "Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point.

"So I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television.

"I adore Emma and Jojo and cant wait to spend my weekends with them. Ill dust off the penguin costume."

[Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have been announced by the BBC as the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing]

Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have been announced by the BBC as the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

So far, the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line-up has slowly been announced with Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Dame Sarah Storey and Jaime Winstone all confirmed for the show.

Further celebrities will be revealed throughout the summer ahead of the brand-new series getting underway on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September.

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