Comedian Josh Widdicombe made his debut as a presenter on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night, joining fellow new hosts Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe for the launch show on BBC One.
The 43-year-old broadcaster revealed he secured the role after sending a jokey text message to executive producer Sarah James when long-serving presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their departure from the series.
Daly and Winkleman shocked viewers last October when they decided to step down after 21 years on the flagship entertainment program.
Strictly Come Dancing is the BBC's hit Saturday night ballroom competition, where celebrity contestants are paired with professional dancers to compete across 13 weeks for the Glitterball trophy.
How a jokey text message led to Strictly
Widdicombe had previously gotten to know James while competing on the show's 2024 Christmas special. On the day Daly and Winkleman announced their exit, he sent the executive producer a text message joking, "All right, I'll take the job."
James replied the following day, telling the comedian that his message was the single thing that made her laugh on a tough day, which set the hiring process in motion.
"I don't know. Was I unconsciously putting my hat in the ring with this text that was perhaps my greatest ever career move? I think that is something I will be dealing with with a therapist for the next 20 years," Widdicombe admitted of his initial message.
Following the exchange, Widdicombe was invited to a long series of auditions. He confessed to feeling unsuited for the job during his solo try-outs, which involved interacting with judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, as well as commentating on production staff posing as contestants.
"I thought I was rubbish," Widdicombe told The Times. "Everything I said felt false. I didn't know where to put my hands."
The atmosphere shifted when he auditioned alongside TV presenter Willis and Strictly professional dancer Radebe. "From the moment we met, everyone was on the same wavelength, everyone was laughing," he said.
Recording the pre-recorded launch show gave Widdicombe a final boost of confidence. "I was like, 'Oh no, we're good at this, this is fun.' I am confident in this. I am not a rubbish comedian, I know that," he added.
"I have a confidence in myself I'd never had before," he continued. "I know I can be good value on, you know, Blankety Blank, The Wheel, Radio 2. I'd assume that's why the Strictly producers wanted me."
He attributed his growing self-assurance to recent personal milestones. "But I'd never have been good on those before Parenting Hell because I had never quite nailed down who I was. Then settling down, having two kids, talking about my family, stopping drinking, moving to Devon… I think I suit middle age," he explained.
Widdicombe will juggle his Strictly duties with his comedy podcast Parenting Hell and his long-running Channel 4 panel series The Last Leg.
Viewers react to three-host lineup
The new series launched with a format shakeup featuring a trio of hosts. Producers previously explained that the new setup is fluid with no like-for-like replacements for Daly and Winkleman, allowing Willis, Widdicombe, and Radebe to try out different combinations on screen.
Opening the launch show, Widdicombe admitted to feeling nervous, saying, "It's a little bit overwhelming to be here but we are so excited..." Willis added, "We cannot wait to spend the next 13 weeks with all of you."
Willis won praise from viewers on social media for her appearance in a plunging glitzy dress, with fans describing her as the "goddess of British TV."
However, many viewers expressed confusion over the decision to use three hosts instead of two. Viewers on X shared mixed verdicts, with one writing, "i love emma, jojo and josh but it feels so odd without tess and claude, this is gonna take some getting used to," while another asked, "I can’t understand why we need 3 presenters???"
Other comments included, "3 hosts are different but I love emma willis so happy she’s part of this," and "Emma and Johannes have got this but Josh just does not fit #Strictly." Additional fans posted, "Why does it need 3 presenters? It just doesn't work," and "Is it way too early to say I’m not sold on these hosts and I want Tess and Claud back? #strictly."
Prior to the broadcast, former host Tess Daly posted a message of support on Instagram, writing, "BBC Strictly class of 26! So excited for tonight! And to finally be able to watch Strictly in flat shoes."
The launch show was pre-recorded last week, introducing 15 celebrity contestants before they begin their 13-week journey. Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday, September 26 on BBC One.
Meet the 2026 Strictly contestants
The 2026 cast features 15 celebrities from television, sports, music, and social media.
EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, 38, who plays Stacey Slater on the BBC soap, said: "I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor."
Australian singer and actress Delta Goodrem, 41, who played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums, shared her enthusiasm: "I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!"
Love Island 2025 winner and TikTok influencer Cach Mercer, 25, commented: "I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!"
Britain's most successful Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, 48, said: "Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting."
House of the Dragon actress Bethany Antonia, 28, who plays Lady Baela Targaryen, stated: "I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill."
Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hall, 59, host of Channel 5's Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, remarked: "I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!"
Olympic champion skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker, 25, said: "I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!"
Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters, 64, who played Gwen West in the BBC sitcom, explained: "Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room."
Love Island winner Dani Dyer, 30, daughter of actor Danny Dyer, said: "I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!"
Celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton, 43, known for styling Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, stated: "I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new."
Big Brother host Will Best, 41, expressed his excitement: "I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!"
Actress Jaime Winstone, 41, star of Kidulthood and Tomb Raider, said: "I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me."
Former Chelsea and Manchester City footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, 44, commented: "Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!"
Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb, 34, who plays Mackenzie Boyd on the ITV soap, said: "I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!"
YouTube creator John Nellis, 33, face of a popular football channel, added: "I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!"
