Entertainment · Strictly Come Dancing season 23
Richard Osman says Strictly's new presenter roles aren't working, suggests a reshuffle
After the first live show of the new series, Richard Osman said on The Rest is Entertainment podcast that Strictly's three-presenter roles need changing, and set out how he would rearrange them. The show's ratings fell from last year.
Updated (version 3). New coverage since the last version from Daily Express. Previously: “Richard Osman says Strictly's new presenter roles aren't working and suggests changes”.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Richard Osman has said the new presenting set-up on Strictly Come Dancing is not working, and has said how he would change it. Radio TimesN “Richard Osman has said the new Strictly Come Dancing presenter format isn’t working - and revealed how he would alter the new trio's roles to fix it.” Read at Radio Times ↗ The IndependentLC “Richard Osman has explained why the new iteration of Strictly Come Dancing is currently not working – and how he would fix it.” Read at The Independent ↗ Centre · 1Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe made their debut as hosts in the first live show on Saturday 26 September, taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Radio TimesN “Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe made their presenting debut on Saturday (26 September), taking over from long-running presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Mixed · 2Willis and Widdicombe presented from the dancefloor, while Radebe ran the post-performance interviews in the segment Winkleman used to front. Radio TimesN “Willis and Widdicombe standing by the judges' table, while Radebe conducted post-performance interviews with the contestants” Read at Radio Times ↗ Daily MailR “Johannes Radebe held court in the 'Clauditorium'.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Mixed · 2Osman said he understood why three presenters were chosen, but that Radebe is currently doing exactly what Winkleman did, working from two talking points from producers, which does not suit a trained dancer. The IndependentLC “Now that’s not what Johannes can do – it’s not who he is. He’s a trained dancer; he brings something else.” Read at The Independent ↗ Daily MailR “I'm not sure he can do the emotional journey in the same way that Claudia can, or the comic stuff or the diffusing of the tension.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Mixed · 2His alternative: Willis presents solo by the main stage, Widdicombe takes over the interviews, and Radebe roams backstage to provide "extra content". He said Willis and Widdicombe do not work as a double act because "one is a comic" and "one is not". Radio TimesN “having Willis present solo by the main stage, moving Widdicombe into the post-performance interview role currently held by Radebe” Read at Radio Times ↗ The IndependentLC “"one is a comic" and "one is not"” Read at The Independent ↗ Right · 1The Daily Mail quotes Osman saying Radebe needs something closer to It Takes Two, with more technical detail, and reports his request that celebrities stop introducing themselves with phrases such as "You'll probably know me for". Daily MailR “Johannes needs something a bit more It Takes Two, where you go into maybe some of the technical details or something a bit more.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Left · 1Osman also said he would trim the VT films by 30 seconds, and, according to The Independent, does not think the show is in crisis. The IndependentLC “Another key change Osman would make is to trim the VTs – played before a contestant performs – by 30 seconds”“Osman doesn’t think that Strictly is going through a crisis” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2The first live show averaged 4.8 million viewers on BBC One in overnight figures, below last year; the Mail puts last year's figure at 6.2 million and says it is the first time since 2019 the first live show rated below the launch show. Radio TimesN “averaged 4.8 million viewers on BBC One, according to overnight figures” Read at Radio Times ↗ Daily MailR “down substantially on last year's 6.2 million for the first live show.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Right · 1A Strictly spokesman said it was the most-watched programme of the night, peaking at 5 million, and that overnight ratings do not show the full on-demand audience. Daily MailR “Strictly was the most watched programme of the night, with a peak of 5 million viewers.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Mixed · 2Reaction to the new hosts has been mixed, with Willis widely praised. Radio TimesN “Willis has been widely praised for her new role, opinions on Widdicombe and Radebe's hosting abilities have been mixed.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Daily MailR “Emma, Josh and Johannes have received mixed reactions since they took over from Tess and Claudia” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Straightforward report of Osman's diagnosis and fix, with his reassurance that the show is not in crisis.
- Emphasis
- Osman's reasoning on Radebe and his proposed reshuffle.
- Leaves out or plays down
- No viewing figures or Strictly's response.
- For example
-
“Willis rose to the challenge with success, while Widdombe and Radebe are yet to find their groove.” — The Independent
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Presents Osman's proposed role changes, with ratings and first-night scores as context.
- Emphasis
- The role swap plus leaderboard and schedule details.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Osman's 'You'll probably know me for' complaint or the show's past controversies.
- For example
-
“The first live show of the season, which featured performances from all 15 celebrities, averaged 4.8 million viewers on BBC One” — Radio Times
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Leads with a ratings slump and viewer dissatisfaction, putting Osman's remarks against a backdrop of falling audiences and past controversies.
- Emphasis
- Ratings comparisons, the BBC's response, Osman's Radebe comments, past scandals.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not report Osman's suggested reshuffle of Willis and Widdicombe, the VT trim, or his view that the show is not in crisis.
- Charged language
- “ratings slump”“shaky start”“spare part”
- For example
-
“after last weekend's ratings slump” — Daily Mail
“the decision didn't go down well with viewers” — Daily Mail
What every side reports
- Osman made the comments on The Rest is Entertainment podcast after the first live show on 26 September.
- Willis and Widdicombe presented by the judges while Radebe handled post-performance interviews, the role Winkleman held.
- Osman said Radebe is copying Winkleman's approach, which does not suit him.
- The first live show averaged 4.8 million viewers in overnight figures, below last year.
- Reaction to Widdicombe and Radebe has been mixed.
Where accounts differ
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How the new format has landed
- Left
- The Independent says Willis succeeded while Widdicombe and Radebe are yet to find their groove, and that Osman does not see a crisis.
- Centre
- Radio Times says Willis is widely praised and views on the other two are mixed, and notes the lower viewing figure.
- Right
- The Daily Mail says the decision 'didn't go down well with viewers' and links it to a 'ratings slump', while a Strictly spokesman says overnight figures understate the audience.
-
Johannes Radebe is being given the post-performance interview role in the way Claudia Winkleman did it, which does not suit his strengths
Reported- Supports 1
- The Independent
- Reports 2
- Radio Times, Daily Mail
-
The new Strictly presenting line-up is not working as currently arranged
Reported- Reports 3
- The Independent, Radio Times, Daily Mail
Richard Osman person
Says he understands the three-host idea but that Radebe is being given Winkleman's role in a way that doesn't suit him; proposes a reshuffle and expects producers to know what to do.
“I absolutely see why they’ve gone with three people – it makes a lot of sense to do that.” — Radio Times
“The one thing I know for a fact the producers will really understand what they have to do.” — The Independent
Strictly Come Dancing product
A Strictly spokesman said overnight ratings do not give the full picture in an on-demand world.
“As ever, overnight ratings do not give the full picture of all those who watch in an on-demand world.” — Daily Mail
Left1 article
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Richard Osman explains how he would fix new era of Strictly Come Dancing
Neutral Explains Osman's critique and fix, noting he sees no crisis.
Centre1 article
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Richard Osman reveals how he would change new Strictly Come Dancing presenters' roles on show
Neutral Reports the proposed role changes with ratings and scores context.
Right3 articles
-
Daily MailR · · Opinion
Critical Frames Osman's comments within a ratings decline and viewer disapproval.
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Daily ExpressR · · Opinion
Five changes will save Strictly Come Dancing – but bosses need to make them now
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- 29 Sep 14:18 First The IndependentLC Richard Osman explains how he would fix new era of Strictly Come Dancing
- 30 Sep 10:23 +20h 5m Radio TimesN Richard Osman reveals how he would change new Strictly Come Dancing presenters' roles on show
- 30 Sep 20:46 +30h 28m Daily MailR Richard Osman weighs in on what Strictly need to fix as he says Johannes Radebe can't do the 'emotional' or 'comic' elements like fan-favourite Claudia Winkleman Opinion
- 2 Oct 12:00 +69h 41m Daily ExpressR Five changes will save Strictly Come Dancing – but bosses need to make them now Opinion
- 2 Oct 14:00 +71h 41m Daily ExpressR Claudia Winkleman just hammered final nail into Strictly's coffin Opinion
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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