TL;DR
- Emma Willis steps in as host for Strictly 2026 alongside LGBTQ+ pro dancer Johannes Radebe.
- She has a history of championing LGBTQ+ rights, notably during her Big Brother tenure.
- Willis promotes self-expression and challenges gender norms in parenting.
- She will host the 2026 PEUGEOT Attitude PRIDE Awards, celebrating LGBTQ+ achievements.
- Her outspoken support has made her a beloved figure in the community.
Hold onto your sequins, because Emma Willis is back and ready to dazzle as the new host of Strictly Come Dancing 2026! This time, she’s not just shaking her groove thing; she’s stepping up as a fierce ally for the LGBTQ+ community. With a lineup that includes the fabulous gay pro dancer Johannes Radebe, it’s clear that this season is going to be a glittering celebration of diversity.
Emma has always been a champion for LGBTQ+ rights, and her history speaks volumes. Remember her time on Big Brother? She wasn’t afraid to tackle the tough conversations head-on. In 2016, during Celebrity Big Brother, she confronted evictee Winston McKenzie about his offensive comments on gay adoption. “It’s not that people think you shouldn’t have opinions. It’s comparing adoption to child abuse – that’s very offensive,” she told him, making it clear that she wouldn’t stand for homophobia on her watch.
Willis didn’t just stop there; she made it a point to emphasize the importance of love and acceptance. “If you can give a child a home and love then it doesn’t matter if the parents are gay or of different races or whatever. Children just need love,” she stated, proving that her heart is as big as her talent.
Fast forward to 2024, and she was presenting the “LGBT+ Celebrity” award to her Big Brother co-star Rylan Clark at the British LGBT Awards. This year, she’s set to host the 2026 PEUGEOT Attitude PRIDE Awards, honoring ten inspirational figures from the LGBTQ+ community. “Getting to stand up and celebrate them feels like a genuine privilege,” she gushed, and honestly, who wouldn’t want to be in her sparkly shoes?
But it’s not just her professional life that showcases her allyship. Emma and her husband, Matt Willis, are often praised for their progressive parenting style. They’re all about letting their kids express themselves freely. Remember the uproar over her son Ace’s long hair and pink crop top? Emma wasn’t having any of it. “He is very individual, he dresses the way he wants and he’s really happy doing that. Why would I try to suppress that?” Her response was both refreshing and necessary in a world that often tries to box children into rigid gender norms.
Emma’s journey into parenting has opened her eyes to the ridiculousness of stereotypes. “I’ve gone down a rabbit hole to be honest, and because of Ace it’s ignited something in me… You should come to the Willis household – I’m the one changing light bulbs and Matt’s the one mopping!” she quipped, proving that gender roles are so last season.
In a world that desperately needs more voices like hers, Emma Willis is not just a host; she’s a beacon of hope and acceptance. As she prepares to take the Strictly stage, we can’t wait to see her shine and continue her mission of love and equality. Let’s get this party started, shall we? 🌈✨