Comedian Josh Widdicombe has been announced as one of the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing alongside TV presenter Emma Willis and professional dancer Johannes Radebe
Strictly Come Dancing’s new host Josh Widdicombe has a lot to learn before the new series kicks off. In a bombshell announcement, the comedian was named as one of three new faces to front the BBC show alongside Radio 2 star, Emma Willis, and professional dancer, Johannes Radebe.
Seasoned host, Emma, 50, who says she is delighted to be have bagged the plum job, chatted to Josh, 43, and Johannes, 39, on her recent radio show. However, when asking her colleagues about their favourite dances from the series, stand-up star Josh, was stumped.
In a quickfire round, Emma asked: “Favourite Latin dance?,” as Johannes responded: “Cha Cha.” Josh remarked: “Cha Cha Cha,” as everybody burst into laughter, politely. Emma then asked: “Favourite Ballroom?,” to which Johannes replied: “Waltz.” Clearly confused, Josh asked: “Is Argentine Tango a ballroom?”.
Johannes, who used to be a professional dancer on Strictly, told him: “It’s a speciality dance!,” before giving the comedian the lowdown of which dances are in which category.
Emma then asked: “Do you think we’ll be able to get away with, if we don’t know the name of a dance, just going, ‘the twirly one’?” Josh joked: “I think our job, we’re not the experts Emma, we’re the man and woman in the street.”
Fans were flummoxed after the exchange with one jumping on Instagram, suggesting: “Josh needs to up his game.” Another shared: “I like Josh as a comedian but as a dance presenter? NO.” Meanwhile, third claimed they wouldn’t be watching the new series, responding: ““No!! I’ll give it a go but I don’t think I’ll be watching Strictly very much at all now. What a shame.”
Despite the backlash after Josh’s appointment, others said they were looking forward to the new presenters, as one insisted: “Love this trio!”
Strictly fans have been waiting for months to find out who would be stepping into Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s sparkly shoes after they both quit the show last year.
A whole host of names were in the mix, including Zoe Ball and Rylan, but now the news is out, with Emma saying she’s over the moon.
Admitting she was still ‘taking it all in’, she gushed: “It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Strictly – I’ve cheered and danced along from my sofa for years – so to be stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can’t quite comprehend.”
Johannes, who has loads of Strictly fans from his time as dancer on the show, said: “To be returning to Strictly Come Dancing in this new role is beyond anything I ever imagined.”
Meanwhile, Josh mused: “Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point, so I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television.”
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