Strictly Come Dancing host Josh Widdicombe made a candid admission about his new BBC role after the first results show of the series on Sunday, October 4. Speaking to Abi Clarke on the debut episode of Strictly: Lights Up, the comedian said he hated the experience of sending a couple home.
First results show of the series
New hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe returned to host the first results show. Following Saturday's Movie Week extravaganza, the judges' scores were added to those from the previous week's first live show, when there was no public vote. These were combined with the results of the public vote to decide the two lowest-scoring couples, who faced the dance off.
It was revealed that Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden would face Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu in the dance off. Chris and Amy performed their Cha Cha to I'll Be Ready from Baywatch, while Jaime and Carlos danced their Cha Cha to Oh, Pretty Woman from Pretty Woman.
Judges' verdict and elimination
After both couples danced, the judges delivered their verdicts. Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke all chose to save Jaime and Carlos, meaning Chris and Amy became the first couple to leave the competition. Craig Revel Horwood then revealed he agreed with his fellow judges.
There was immediate reaction from the dance floor in the first episode of Strictly: Lights Up, hosted by Abi Clarke and Tyler West. The new show takes viewers into the ballroom to speak to the eliminated couple, their dance off opponents, plus the judges, hosts, other Strictly stars, and studio guests.
Hosts' candid reaction
During the first instalment, Abi spoke with hosts Emma, Josh and Johannes, who gave their verdict after hosting their first elimination show. Abi turned to Josh and said: "Josh, first results show for you. How does it feel to send someone home?"
Josh replied: "I hated that. It's awful. Can I say that?" Johannes then said: "You can absolutely say that, because that's the part of the show that I do not miss." Josh acknowledged that the moment was "so emotionally intense", moments before Emma joined the conversation.
She said: "I tell you what, that is not pleasant. That is the worst part of my week, isn't it?" Abi noted that Emma had to stand and deliver the news of who was in the dance off, before the host shared: "I know! They made me do it."
Johannes quickly replied: "You can't say that! I mean, you were the man for the job," before Josh joked: "Do you know what, it's really tough up there talking to the saved couples." Emma went on: "You can see, I know I said it, you can see how much they all just don't want to be in that dance off. They are all loving what they're doing. And you're like, 'Can't we change the rules?'"
The results show notably debuted another host change, as Emma and Johannes were seen presenting the judges' debrief at the start of the episode. Emma then went back to the ballroom to deliver the results, before Josh and Johannes interviewed the saved couples up in the Clauditorium. Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
