She may not have landed the top job, but radio star Sian Welby doesn’t regretting trying as she has her say on Strictly Come Dancing and new presenter Emma Willis
Sian Welby burst out crying after auditioning to host Strictly Come Dancing before finding out she hadn’t been successful.
The ambitious Capital FM star was hoping to take a giant career step during the race to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In the end, the job went to Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe but the broadcaster said she had “never wanted to impress so much” during the try out.
Saying her screen test lasted two and a half hours, Sian – a regular co-host on This Morning – says it was all exciting that she has almost totally forgotten what happened in the room. Her disbelief at even being considered for one of the most prestigious jobs on TV was clear but there’s clearly no hard feelings.
Speaking to OK!, she said: “It was mad. It was an absolute honour to be in the mix, but it was a gruelling process with no messing about. 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. But it wasn’t my time.”
She went on to add: “I really did want to show them I could do the job. 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.”
The new trio have yet to win fans over, but Sian knows Emma is going to be incredible. She said: “Emma is brilliant. I can’t say a bad word about her,” she says. “We don’t know each other deeply, but every time I see her, she seems lovely.”
Viewers have questioned if another all-female partnership was the best way to go after losing Claudia and Tess.
Some fans even think the time has already arrived to find new hosts and an error-strewn dance debut, with on-air gaffes the talking point of the live opener on Saturday night.
According to bookmakers, this could be the last series. Coral has cut the odds to 3-1 (from 8-1) on the BBC show being scrapped in 2027, with the firm making it odds-on at 1-2 that the show changes its presenting panel next year.
“Strictly has not got off to a good start this year, and with ratings on the decline, we have slashed the odds on the show being scrapped by the BBC in 2027,” said Coral’s John Hill.
“The odds don’t look good for the new presenting trio, as we make it odds-on there will be a change if the show continues next year.”
Whilst no one went this week, there are three stars at most risk – Melanie Walters, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Dame Sarah Storey.
Of course, they have another week to impress the judges – and the public vote makes a huge impact on who stays and goes.
Next week, the 15 celebrities will dance to movie-themed songs, the first time all 15 stars have ever been able to take part in a themed week.
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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