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This Morning presenter says Strictly Come Dancing host audition process was "gruelling" and reveals she "burst out crying" afterwards

"I left going, 'I don't know if I've nailed that or if it was an absolute car crash.'"

Sian Welby wearing a pink sparkly gown smiling ahead.

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Published: Tuesday, 29 September 2026 at 10:17 am

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This Morning presenter Siân Welby has spoken about the "gruelling" audition she went through for the Strictly Come Dancing hosting gig, revealing that she "burst out crying" in her car afterwards.

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Welby, who was among the names linked to the presenting job before the BBC announced its new line-up, said her try-out lasted around two-and-a-half hours and left her emotionally drained.

Speaking about the experience, she recalled getting into her car once it was over and breaking down in tears, putting it down to adrenaline and the pressure of wanting to impress.

"It was an absolute honour to be in the mix, but it was a gruelling process with no messing about," she told OK!. "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.

"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."

Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe host Strictly Come Dancing; they are holding hands and smiling in a dance pose, to sign off their first episode together

Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe hosting Strictly Come Dancing 2026. BBC/Guy Levy

Despite missing out, Welby was gracious about the outcome and praised Emma Willis, who is one of the three new hosts, telling the publication: "Emma is brilliant. 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."

Willis was confirmed as a Strictly presenter alongside comedian Josh Widdicombe, best known for The Last Leg and Taskmaster, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe. The trio replaced Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down after the 2025 season.

Welby was one of several presenters who didn't make the final line-up, with Zoe Ball confirming back in May that she hadn't been chosen for the job.

During an episode of the Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, Ball said: "I didn't get it, but it's OK. I have worked through the seven stages of grief/rejection, over the last couple of days."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 3 October at 6:15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Katelyn Mensah, smiling against a lime green background.

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

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