Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse has defended the show’s new trio of hosts, after fans claimed they spotted tension between her and presenter Josh Widdicombe.The second live show of the 2026 series aired on Saturday, with the celeb cast taking on Movie Week. New hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh were no doubt feeling the pressure after the first live show’s presenting format was panned by viewers – with Josh branded a ‘spare part’.During Week 2 viewers started to notice a simmering ‘tension’ between Motsi and Josh, as they suggested the judge had ‘had enough of the comedian interrupting her with his jokes’. Motsi though has hit back at the ongoing critique of the show, insisting ‘it already feels like we’re finding our rhythm.’Sharing photos on Instagram, Motsi told her followers: ‘Show 2 was so fun!!! It already feels like we’re finding our rhythm. After 21 years, a big change needs time.’ Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse has defended the show’s new trio of hosts, after fans claimed they spotted tension between her and presenter Josh Widdicombe New hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh were no doubt feeling the pressure after the first live show’s presenting format was panned by viewers ‘Why do we expect everything new to be perfect immediately?’ ‘Critique matters, but so does how we deliver it. We can be honest and still be kind. Imagine if we all only got ONE chance to get things right. Give it time. Last week, Josh was on the receiving end of a very sassy comment from Motsi as she was trying to give her expert feedback to the couples.After Craig Revel Horwood gave his rather cutting feedback, Motsi turned to him to say that she actually agreed with what he was saying for once, which led to Craig quipping: ‘Great – we can move on to Shirley [Ballas] then!’Motsi burst out laughing before then replying: ‘Well I have to do my job too!’Josh then jokingly shouted: ‘Shirley!’ as if to skip over Motsi’s feedback like Craig had suggested.Motsi then cheekily remarked to Josh: ‘Well are we going to be friends or enemies, you choose now!’ as the audience and Josh laughed it off. Reacting to the moment on X, one viewer said: ‘Josh feared for his P45 in Week 1. Motsi ate him up.’ It has been a shaky start to the new Strictly era as the trio of new hosts failed to deliver the ratings boost BBC bosses had hoped for. Sharing photos on Instagram, Motsi told her followers: ‘Show 2 was so fun!!! It already feels like we’re finding our rhythm. After 21 years, a big change needs time’But during Sunday night’s pre-recorded results show, fans were happy to see producers had found a presenting format that worked. Viewers hailed the chemistry between Emma and Johannes as they presented together for the first time last night – and claimed Josh has finally ‘found his natural home’.Since the trio took over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the show has struggled to find the right places for the new hosts, trying out different pairings throughout.On Sunday Emma and Johannes were paired together for the start of the show, where they discussed the dances from Saturday with the judges.Sharing their thoughts on X, fans penned: ‘Emma and Johannes presenting together this is much better it’s not hard.”Oh Emma and Johannes together! they’ve realised that’s how it should be.”Surely the BBC can see that Emma and Johannes are great together tonight.’Emma then headed downstairs to the dance floor to reveal the votes, where she was replaced by Josh, who joined Johannes to chat with the celebs.Fans enjoyed seeing Josh upstairs as they claimed he appeared less nervous.They said: ‘Now can we move Josh upstairs plz he works much better up their with Johannes.”Dare I say Josh felt mare natural upstairs being a bit more off the cuff with the saved couples in the result show?’ During Sunday night’s pre-recorded results show, fans were happy to see producers had found a presenting format that worke, including Josh and Johannes paired together upstairs ‘Emma is much better doing the results on her own while Josh & JoJo are upstairs chatting with the celebrities.”Josh is better upstairs. Seems less nervous and more willing to ad-lib.’Week two of the dance show sadly saw Chris Appleton become the first contestant to be eliminated. The hair stylist who hails from Leicester but is now one of the most in-demand hairdressers in Hollywood, had to compete in the dance-off with actress Jaime Winstone after it was revealed they both got the lowest number of public votes.And it was his cha cha that impressed the judges the least as they unanimously voted him off, leaving a relieved Jaime – the daughter of hardman actor Ray – through to next week.Motsi, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke all chose to save Jaime and her partner Carlos Gu after they danced their cha cha to Pretty Woman from the film of the same name during Movie Week.It meant that Craig Revel-Horwood who would have had the deciding vote, was not required to do so, although he later said he would have also saved Jaime.Chris’s dance to I’ll be Ready from Baywatch only earned him a disappointing 17 points, just one more than he was given during the first live show the week before.The remaining 14 couples will take to the dancefloor next week, when Strictly Come Dancing returns at 6.15pm on Saturday, October 10. STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS LACEY TURNER AGE: 38BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC’s EastEnders WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m so excited and terrified at the same time but I’ve had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.’DELTA GOODREM AGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albumsWHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!’CACH MERCER AGE: 25BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencerWHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!’DAME SARAH STOREY AGE: 48BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain’s most successful Paralympian WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.’BETHANY ANTONIA AGE: 28BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the DragonWHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.’GRAEME ‘THE DOGFATHER’ HALL AGE: 59BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) BadlyWHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!’TABBY STOECKER AGE: 25BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racerWHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!’MELANIE WALTERS AGE: 64BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & StaceyWHY STRICTLY?: ‘Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.’ DANI DYER AGE: 30BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny DyerWHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!’CHRIS APPLETON AGE: 43BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars – including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer LopezWHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.’WILL BEST AGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TVWHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!’JAIME WINSTONE AGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb RaiderWHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.’SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS AGE: 44BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester CityWHY STRICTLY?: ‘Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!’LAWRENCE ROBB AGE: 34BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV’s EmmerdaleWHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!’JOHN NELLIS AGE: 33BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channelWHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!’