Josh Widdicombe was the Strictly host wildcard – no one could have predicted his name would have been thrown into the mix of names set to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
But earlier this week rumours swirled that comedian Josh, 43, had landed the gig opposite Tess Daly although in a statement to The Mirror the BBC said, “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.” However in his first public appearance since the reports surfaced, Josh didn’t shy away from referring to the Strictly host rumours. During his gig at the Hackney Empire on Friday night Josh told the audience: ”I have started doing old people’s TV shows and attracting older audiences.” Josh appeared in the Strictly Christmas Special in 2024 while dressed as a penguin, referring to that experience he said: “If I was to sum up the age I have reached – I did the Strictly Christmas special two years ago.
View 2 ImagesJosh Widdecombe rumoured to co-host Strictly Come Dancing alongside Emma Willis
“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.
“We all started dancing and I realised I was the worst dancer. This wasn’t meant to happen. “When I signed up I knew I would be fine because I know how Strictly works. There’s always a s*** middle-aged bloke that makes everyone else look good.”
Josh shot to fame on The Last Leg on Channel 4 and he co-hosts the hugely popular podcast Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett.
He is a regular face on panel shows and has won over fans with his comedic timing and one liners. At his gig on Friday evening he continued to joke about his age and being the older guy on the Strictly special he said: “I was like, ‘Oh f***. I am the s*** middle-aged guy. I am Adrian Chiles, je suis Jeremy Vine, that is who I am.” Ever since Tess and Claudia announced their departure from Strictly in October countless top names in TV have been lined to the position.
These include Rylan Clarke, Alison Hammond and Bradley Walsh. Earlier this week Zoe Ball ruled herself out of the running admitting she didn’t get the job and has been working through the ‘seven stages of grief and rejection.’
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Reports have also suggested Johannes Radebe will be on the new presenting line up.
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