Comprehensive Deep-Dive: Comedian Josh Widdicombe Opens Up About the “Hard Job” of Hosting Strictly Come Dancing
As the new presenting team settles into the massive shoes left behind by long-running hosts on Strictly Come Dancing, comedian Josh Widdicombe has opened up about the daunting reality and intense pressure of taking on one of the most high-profile jobs in British television.
1. Battling Imposter Syndrome and Initial Nerves
Stepping onto the weekend entertainment juggernaut alongside co-hosts Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe, Widdicombe admitted that his early rehearsals were filled with self-doubt.
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“I Thought I Was Rubbish”: Reflecting on his initial dry runs on set, the comedian confessed that everything he said initially felt unnatural, joking that he literally “didn’t know where to put [his] hands”.
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The Family Dilemma: Widdicombe also shared candidly about the personal upheaval involved in accepting the role, noting that taking on the high-intensity gig required major logistical shifts just after his family had relocated from London to Exeter.
2. Finding the Groove and Shrugging Off the “Sideshow”
Despite early nerves and the inevitable media scrutiny that follows any major shakeup on the BBC flagship show, Widdicombe noted that the sheer joy of the live studio atmosphere quickly put his anxieties to rest.
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Instant Chemistry: He praised the immediate wavelength and shared laughter he experienced with Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe, which helped smooth out the transition during the opening weeks.
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Rejecting the Toxicity: Addressing the hyper-critical environment surrounding modern television entertainment, Widdicombe emphasized his desire to stay focused purely on the positivity of the show, stating that he consciously chooses to ignore the “weird negative sideshow” that often orbits the competition.