Josh Widdicombe Predicts ‘Abuse’ As New Strictly Come Dancing Host

Josh Widdicombe has opened up about his role as one of Strictly Come Dancing’s new hosts.

During the latest episode of his podcast, Parenting Hell, the stand-up comic spoke at length about the news that he will be joining Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe at the helm of Strictly when it returns to our screens later in 2026.

The new trio will take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down as Strictly’s hosts during last year’s season.

Speaking on Parenting Hell on a recording that took place on the same day as the Strictly announcement, Josh admitted he’s already prepared himself for the fact he’s “going to get dog’s abuse” when he takes over as host, with his co-host Rob Beckett agreeing: “Even if you’re the best person to ever host it.”

After Rob encouraged his listeners to “go in” in his co-host’s defence, Josh then noted: “We’re talking hypothetically at this point, because I haven’t looked at the internet since it came out. I don’t know, because I’ve deleted my Instagram app.”

“I’m sure it’ll all be absolutely fine, because most people on the internet take new information pretty well,” Rob then joked. “And they are really happy with change at all times.”

“They embrace change, that’s the thing about the internet!” Josh added with a laugh.

Later in the episode, Josh also revealed that he was initially unsure about whether or not to accept the job due to the impact it could have on his life.

“It is so weird, but it’s incredible,” he explained. “I think this is a fair thing to say, when this opportunity came up, initially, to just have the meeting, I thought, ‘I really like my life, would I want to throw it into flux?’.

“Do you know what I mean? Because it’s a big, defining thing that you’re suddenly doing.”

In the end, though, he reasoned: “What an incredible thing to experience.”

He added: “I will thank you all for your support, in advance. I’m genuinely so excited. I can’t wait.”

Josh also told Rob: “It is weird, isn’t it? What our lives have become. Because, you know, we did just start out as stand-ups driving around and we are now [on] BBC One.”

Josh does have some experience in the Strictly ballroom as he took part in the show’s annual Christmas special back in 2024.

He said last week: “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.”

Josh added: “I adore Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them. I’ll dust off the penguin costume.”

Listen to Parenting Hell here.