STRICTLY host Emma Willis was close to signing up to the BBC dance show – but turned it down for one major factor.
The Sun revealed yesterday on Sunday the mum-of-three, 50, has agreed terms and the BBC is expected to announce the move shortly.
Bosses replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman see her as a “safe pair of hands” and incredibly popular with the public.
But back in 2021, Emma revealed that she almost appeared on Strictly herself as a contestant – but was forced to turn it down due to filming commitments for ITV’s The Voice and Channel 4’s The Circle.
Emma told The Sun four years ago in an interview: “If I had time, I would do it in a heartbeat. Like I absolutely love it.
“I’ve been asked in the past but it’s always the time of year when we’re filming The Voice and The Circle… let’s hope The Voice is [happening] — otherwise I will be doing Strictly.”
The Sun revealed Emma was in the running for the Strictly job back in February.
A source said: “Emma has been offered the Strictly job and is going to accept.
“She absolutely nailed the chemistry tests and the BBC adore her… She was absolutely thrilled to have been offered the job.
“Strictly is one of the biggest shows on television and to be trusted with the new era is something Emma feels incredibly proud and humbled by.”
Mum-of-three Emma is taking over from veteran hosts Tess Daly, 57, and Claudia Winkleman, 54, who announced they were stepping down from Strictly in October last year.
Insiders said Zoe Ball, 55, who had been in the frame for months, was expected to be asked to join Emma as the new presenting duo.
But The Sun revealed yesterday revealed that Zoe failed to get a Strictly hosting job and has gone through the “seven stages of grief and rejection”.
One “big star” was left “sobbing”, a show insider told The Sun.
BBC bosses enlisted a “golden ten” list of stars they wanted to chemistry test for the roles.
Stars including Holly Willoughby, 45, Alan Carr, 49, Amanda Holden, 55, and Alison Hammond, 51, were approached but ruled themselves out.
Alex Jones, 49, and Rylan Clark, 37, were also tested as “hot” favourites” by the BBC but insiders said they failed to make the final cut, along with Bradley Walsh, 65, and Rob Rinder, 47.
A source added: “The BBC had a plethora of talent come in for the chemistry tests.
“There was no favouritism. It was all about who had the best chemistry and what worked on screen.
