Siân Welby burst into tears after Strictly Come Dancing audition
This Morning presenter and Capital Breakfast host Siân Welby revealed she burst into tears in her car following a gruelling, two-and-a-half-hour secret audition to host Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking to OK! magazine, Welby described the high-pressure try-out that preceded the BBC’s announcement of its new presenting lineup.
Inside the Gruelling Strictly Audition Process
Alongside Welby, public figures including Zoe Ball, Clara Amfo, and Sara Cox have since revealed they also auditioned for the coveted role. Welby described the experience to OK! magazine as a tough, high-stakes try-out that lasted more than two hours with “no messing about.”
“I left the audition, got in the car and burst out crying,” Welby explained. “It was the adrenaline. I’d never concentrated so hard or wanted to impress so much. But it wasn’t my time.” She added that the intensity left her feeling like she was in shock, with almost no memory of how she performed.
The BBC’s New Presenting Lineup Takes Shape
The BBC ultimately selected a new presenting trio consisting of Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe, who made their live show debut on Saturday, 26 September 2026. Welby voiced strong support for the new team, reserving particular praise for Willis. “Emma is brilliant,” Welby said. “I can’t say a bad word about her. We don’t know each other deeply, but every time I see her, she seems lovely.”
The overhauled series returned with a celebrity contestant roster featuring EastEnders star Lacey Turner, reality star Dani Dyer, pop singer Delta Goodrem, Paralympic athlete Dame Sarah Storey, and hair stylist Chris Appleton. Reviewing the season premiere for The Independent, TV critic Isobel Lewis noted that while comedian Widdicombe initially struggled with his comedic impulses during off-script moments with Willis, the core mechanics of the long-running competition operated as normal. Lewis highlighted standout moments from new professional dancers Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita, alongside strong opening performances from early fan favorites like YouTube star John Nellis.
Balancing Demanding Media Schedules
Having missed out on the Strictly hosting role, Welby continues her work on Capital Breakfast—where she marks her sixth year hosting—alongside regular guest-presenting duties on ITV’s This Morning. Managing high-profile broadcasting schedules alongside family life remains a central focus for the presenter, who shares two-year-old daughter Ruby with her fiancé, Jake Beckett. Discussing the realities of modern working households in a separate interview with the Daily Mail, Welby detailed the teamwork required to balance demanding media careers and childcare responsibilities.
Strictly Come Dancing continues airing on BBC One on Saturday evenings.
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