Josh Widdicombe Strictly Come Dancing presenter change routine, Digi Mart USA News: Strictly Come Dancing presenter Josh Widdicombe has admitted he is going to make a change to his routine on the BBC show, inspired by one of his co-hosts. Josh, 43, joined Emma Willis, 50, and Johannes Radebe, 39, for this year’s Strictly after the trio replaced the duo of Tess Daly, 57, and Claudia Winkleman, 54.
In common with other new line-ups on past BBC shows, such as Top Gear, the new crew have earned some fans and some detractors. However, it has been a big undertaking for all of them, given how beloved Strictly is to many around the UK and the world.
Nevertheless, it is still an honour and a once-in-a-lifetime experience, something Josh alluded to on episode 31 of season 13 of Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe, in which the pair discuss their respective family lives and careers.
At one point during the podcast episode, recorded earlier this week, the pair started discussing their schedules and how busy they were. As well as Strictly duties, Josh is continuing to appear on Channel 4’s The Last Leg with fellow comedians Adam Hills and Alex Brooker.
Josh said both programmes would keep him busy until mid-to-late December, while Rob said he was not working between October 20 and November 9.
When Rob, 40, asked what Josh would like to do to relax in his spare time, Josh said there were two things he would enjoy outside of work, parenting and life admin. “Go for a run, go and take some photos.
Those are the two things I’d love to do.” Rob suggested: “I think you should take photos of Strictly behind-the-scenes and all that kind of stuff. Not to put out now, but at some point.”
In response, Josh said this was a change he would consider making now that he has relaxed into the role a bit more, as Emma has been taking plenty of “good” photos backstage. He added: “Well, do you know what?
I never take any photos. And Emma was always taking good photos.
And I’m like, ‘I should be taking photos’… Now I’m calmer with the whole thing, I’m going to start doing it.”
Josh is not the only individual to address the stresses of hosting the show. Emma shared a backstage photo of the presenting trio with the caption: “You’ll get judged either way, so may as well pick the fun option.” Josh has also received criticism from viewers since joining Strictly, including over the use of comedy sketches in the programme, drawing ire from some fans on social media platform X.
Radio Times TV and podcast editor Caroline Frost said that while the trio have grown as the series has progressed, it has not been without difficulties. She wrote: “I think it’s fair to say there were some bumps in the road in the first couple of episodes, but they do appear to be very slowly relaxing into their new roles.” Earlier in the year, former Strictly pro Ola Jordan said Josh had come across as being “really nervous” on the programme, according to the Standard.
The trio return to UK screens tonight, with Strictly Come Dancing starting at 6:40pm on November 7 on BBC One.
