New Strictly Come Dancing host Josh Widdicimbe has said he’s limiting how much social media he consumes as he receives backlash following his first week on the show
Josh Widdicombe, one of the three new Strictly Come Dancing hosts, said that he has “pulled the drawbridge up” on social media amid backlash over his new TV role.
Last weekend marked Josh’s first week on the job, alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as 15 celebrities took to the dancefloor for their first live show. Fans at home had a lot to say about the three new hosts, with some comparing Josh, 43, to a “spare part”.
Josh spoke about his social media usage during his podcast with Rob Beckett. On a recent episode of Parenting Hell, the comedian revealed he’d started using a brick phone to limit his screen time.
Speaking to Rob Beckett, he said: “I’m back on the brick. You’ve inspired me and I’m loving the brick again. It’s mad that we’ve reached this space in time where we have to buy a second phone because we’re being dragged into these apps.”
Rob, who will shortly be on the second series of Celebrity Traitors, joked that Josh had “pulled the drawbridge up” on his social media usage since 2003. Josh joined in on the joke, saying he “pulled the drawbridge up at 2008 when I started stand up”.
This came just days after fans criticised Josh’s live Strictly debut. On Saturday 26 September, the comedian joined seasoned host Emma in the ballroom, cracking jokes with the judges, whilst former pro dancer Johannes spoke to the celebs in a roped off area upstairs at the studio.
Many fans were left unimpressed by the trio’s performance. They complained about missed cues, fluffed lines and the number of presenters. For years, Strictly only had two presenters – Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman – and some fans felt adding a third presenter was too many.
One said: “Okay, I don’t want to be a hater, but three hosts is just not working. Not at all.” Another added: “I normally enjoy Strictly, but not this year. The presenters just don’t gel.”
But pro dancer Lauren Oakley came to the new presenters’ defence. She said on Instagram Stories: “We couldn’t be in safer hands than with these beautiful people.
“Strictly is about family, uplifting others, and creating a safe space for celebrity contestants to be vulnerable and do something so outside of their comfort zone.
“This trio have been so warm and welcoming, and they felt like family from the minute they stepped into the studio, and we love having them with us. Professional, funny, kind and fantastic at what they do. I couldn’t feel more lucky to be sharing the screen and our Saturday nights with them.”
Josh reposted the story to his own account, along with three red heart emojis. Fellow TV presenter Richard Osman also came to Josh’s defence, saying on his own podcast, The Rest Is Entertainment: “The producers are watching that more carefully than viewers are watching it. The producers know.”
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