Comedian Josh Widdicombe has revealed he has 'pulled the drawbridge up' on social media after fans branded him 'a spare part' on Strictly Come Dancing.
The 43-year-old presenter made his live debut on the BBC flagship entertainment series over the weekend, but faced sharp criticism from viewers over his role in a new hosting trio alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe.
Returning to his popular podcast Parenting Hell following the backlash, Widdicombe discussed how he has recently been limiting his mobile phone use to block out online commentary.
The television star, who previously admitted he was addicted to his smartphone, revealed he has been using the Brick, a hardware device that locks distracting apps on a mobile phone.
"I'm back on the Brick. You've inspired me and I'm loving the Brick again," Widdicombe admitted to his podcast co-host Rob Beckett, who recently starred on Celebrity Traitors.
Beckett explained during the episode that he now uses two separate phones to restrict social media access on his personal device. Widdicombe expressed amazement at the lengths required to avoid screen addiction.
"It's mad that we've reached this space in time where we have to buy a second phone because we're being dragged into these apps," Widdicombe said.
Beckett teased his co-presenter about his online habits, joking that Widdicombe had pulled the drawbridge up on consuming digital content created post-2003. Widdicombe clarified his actual timeline: "I pulled the drawbridge up at 2008 when I started stand up."
Strictly ratings slump following host revamp
The social media retreat comes as Strictly Come Dancing experienced a notable drop in audience figures following the debut of the new presenting line-up.
Saturday's 150-minute episode suffered a ratings slump, with the live broadcast bringing in fewer viewers than the pre-recorded launch show for the first time in seven years.
The revamped hosting team took over the long-running BBC ballroom competition after former co-hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down from their roles.
Daly and Winkleman had fronted the hit Saturday night entertainment show together for a decade, establishing a familiar two-person dynamic that became a staple of British autumn television. Filmed at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, the series relies heavily on seamless live presentation.
A week on from the pre-recorded launch episode, fans and television critics were hoping that Willis, Widdicombe, and Radebe would have refined their respective presentation duties. Instead, viewers complained about the presenters missing cues and fluffing lines, questioning why BBC bosses hired three hosts to handle a two-person format.
During the launch show, the three hosts rotated positions across the studio. However, with three presenters vying for two distinct studio roles, viewers quickly singled out Widdicombe as superfluous.
For the first live broadcast, Willis, the most experienced presenter of the group having hosted Big Brother and The Voice UK, took over Daly's position on the dancefloor to interview nervous contestants following judges' critiques.
Radebe, a South African professional dancer who gained fame on the show, was stationed upstairs in the area known as the Clauditorium to debrief fellow professional dancers and their celebrity partners.
That arrangement left Widdicombe standing beside Willis on the main floor adding punchlines to her commentary. The decision to split the traditional floor-hosting role drew criticism from audience members who remarked that the stand-up comedian looked like a spare part next to a seasoned live broadcaster.
On-air blunders and live show awkwardness
Widdicombe's inexperience with live studio presentation, combined with visible nerves, resulted in several awkward moments during Saturday night's broadcast.
In one notable link, after interviewing Love Island contestant Cach Mercer following his dance, Radebe threw back to Willis and Widdicombe by asking: "Who's dancing now?"
The camera cut to the floor presenters, but Widdicombe stood silently for a few seconds before realizing it was his cue to speak. A similar timing error occurred later in the show during another studio link.
Widdicombe also experienced a playful exchange with judge Motsi Mabuse during feedback for Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey. After judge Craig Revel Horwood delivered a cutting critique, Mabuse stated she actually agreed with his assessment for once.
Revel Horwood quipped: "Great, we can move on to Shirley Ballas then!" Mabuse burst out laughing before replying: "Well I have to do my job too!"
Widdicombe jumped in by jokingly shouting "Shirley!" as if to skip Mabuse's evaluation entirely. Mabuse, referring to head judge Shirley Ballas, cheekily asked Widdicombe: "Well are we going to be friends or enemies, you choose now!"
While the studio audience laughed off the moment, one viewer on X remarked: "Josh feared for his P45 in Week 1. Motsi ate him up." In the United Kingdom, a P45 is the formal document issued when an employee leaves a job.
Viewer backlash focuses on BBC production decisions
Despite the criticism, many fans and television commentators argued that Widdicombe is not the main problem, blaming BBC producers for creating an unnecessary three-host setup.
Widdicombe brings extensive live television experience from 14 years on Channel 4's satirical comedy show The Last Leg, which he co-hosts alongside Adam Hills and Alex Brooker. Viewers noted that his gag-filled commentary works best when operating independently.
Fans suggested on social media that Widdicombe would be far better suited to hosting upstairs in the Clauditorium rather than standing beside Willis on the dancefloor. One viewer posted on X: "I'm not going to be one of the people hating on Josh. For me the problem is that three hosts just aren't needed."
The viewer added: "He's just standing there awkwardly next to Emma without much to do. Josh should've been up where Johannes is and Johannes should be dancing imo."
Another viewer agreed, writing: "Ngl, i'm not a fan of this hosts setup. I'd switch jojo and josh around, why book a comedian and not put him causing chaos and fun in the clauditorium (or whatever we call it these days) #Strictly."
As the series continues, BBC executives face ongoing scrutiny over whether the new hosting trio will adjust their roles to revive audience numbers and resolve the presentation balance.
