Josh Widdicombe Jokes About Being the 'S**t Middle-Aged Bloke' on Strictly
Josh Widdicombe, a well-known comedian and TV personality, recently made a lighthearted comment about his experience on Strictly Come Dancing, joking that he was the "s**t middle-aged bloke" on the show. This remark came just hours before it was revealed that he is set to become the new host of the popular BBC series.
The Daily Mail reported that Josh will be joining Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as part of the hosting lineup for the upcoming season. His impressive performance during auditions has caught the attention of BBC bosses, who believe he will bring a fresh dynamic to the show.
During his comedy show, Not My Cup Of Tea, at London's Hackney Empire, Josh shared a funny anecdote about his time on Strictly. He said:
"I know how Strictly works. There's always a s**t middle-aged bloke that makes everyone else look good."
He was referring to his appearance on the 2024 Christmas special, where he danced as a penguin with Karen Hauer. Reflecting on the experience, he told the audience:
"I had the worst day of my career. We all had to get up and do a group dance. All the big celebs were there — me, Nitro from Gladiators. All the biggies."
Realizing he was the worst dancer, he added:
"I was like, 'Oh fk. I am the st middle-aged guy. I am Adrian Chiles, je suis Jeremy Vine, that is who I am.'"
This humorous take on his experience has been widely shared, and it seems that the BBC is hoping Josh will bring a similar energy to the show. The network is looking for a replacement for Claudia's comedic presence and wants someone who can make contestants feel comfortable while maintaining the show's lively atmosphere.
Josh has been a familiar face on TV since 2012, co-hosting The Last Leg alongside Alex Brooker and Adam Hills. His deadpan humor and ability to handle live audiences have impressed producers, who believe he is the ideal candidate to lead the show into a new era.
Emma Willis, who was recently named as the new host, has also made a strong impression during the audition process. A source revealed that she was offered the job and is expected to accept it. They described her as a "safe pair of hands" and praised her chemistry with other celebrities.
Johannes Radebe, a South African-born dancer and choreographer, is also reportedly set to join the hosting team. Having been a professional dancer on the show since 2018, he has shown great potential during the chemistry tests and is seen as a perfect partner for Emma.
Zoe Ball, who was initially considered a frontrunner for the role, recently admitted that she lost out on the job. She described the experience as a difficult one, saying she is "working through the seven stages of grief and rejection." However, insiders believe that the BBC is now placing its hopes on Emma.
A producer who worked with Emma on a previous reality show said: "If anyone can turn things around for Strictly, it's her. There's something she has on screen, a mix of vulnerability and confidence, that everyone just falls in love with."
The BBC held secret auditions and chemistry tests with celebrities, requiring them to sign strict NDAs to keep the details confidential. Among those called for the final test were Rylan, Emma, Tom Allen, and Alex Jones.
A source explained: "They really want to bring the fun this year. It's all about chemistry, who clicks instantly and can keep the energy up live on air."
The 24th series of Strictly Come Dancing will feature returning professionals such as Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, Vito Coppola, and Johannes Radebe. New dancers will also be introduced, while some familiar faces, including Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez, will not return.
The celebrity contestants will be judged by Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton du Beke. Fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an exciting new season of the beloved show.
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