Josh Widdicombe, one of Strictly Come Dancing's new presenters, suffered an awkward blunder during the opening of the most recent show on Saturday (October 10), visibly bumping into co-host Emma Willis as he got confused about the choreography.
The 43-year-old moved to the wrong side during an opening sequence with fellow presenter Johannes Radebe, 39, crashing into the 50-year-old mum-of-three, who tapped him on the arm to alert him as she collapsed into laughter. His error did not go unnoticed by fans, who took to X to comment on it.
Body language expert weighs in
Now, body language expert Inball Honigman believes the incident will have affected his confidence just weeks into his new role. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, she said: "Josh's two left feet are not the issue when he dances, because dancing is for everyone, graceful and clumsy alike.
"The issue is the impact that his dancing has on the presenters' dynamic," she observed. "The fact that Josh struggles to move left and right in a specific sequence doesn't bother him that much personally.
"When Josh is seen on screen giving it his best moves, he is happy. Clapping his hands fully, whooping and cheering along to the music, his face is a vision of delight," she said.
Confidence knocked
Speaking on behalf of Casino Guru she continued: "Josh's mouth is wide open which shows excitement, and his cheeks are high which indicates joy.
"He could dance like this forever if you let him. He's in his element, and his thrilled facial expressions reveal that he feels no need to become more graceful.
"But Emma, who is following the choreography, follows the correct moves and therefore dances right into Josh, and they both laugh.
"What happens next is the real reason that Josh is questioning himself," she insisted. "Emma, having danced into Josh and back out of him again, uses the back of her hand to smack him on the arm a little bit.
"It doesn't appear to be an unkind or admonishing move; all Emma does is draw Josh's attention to the unfolding stage chaos, but it is enough to knock Josh's confidence.
"Josh turns to look at Emma and figure out why she tapped his arm, only to see her face lowered and giggling.
"When Josh's face is seen again by the cameras, his smile has been wiped off. He might feel uneasy for his awkward dancing, or he might feel sad in case Emma is laughing at him," Inbaal concluded.
Ongoing criticism
This latest blow comes as Josh has come in for increasing criticism for his work on the show. Many have praised Emma's presenting experience, while others suggested that "three's a crowd" and there simply isn't room for Josh.
However, Josh said his working relationship with Emma and Johannes has always felt like a team effort, and described hosting Strictly as a "joyous" experience.
