Josh Widdicombe has spoken out less than a week after making his controversial debut in the Strictly Come Dancing launch show. Speaking with the BBC, the comedian - who joins Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as this year's presenters - said he felt a mixture of "joy and exhaustion off the back of fear" after hosting his first episode of the new series.
"I had so much adrenaline on the night that I had to have two naps the day after! I don't think, at any point since getting the job, it had felt real until we heard the music start up and Alan Dedicoat say our names," he explained.
Working with Emma and Johannes
Asked to name his favourite thing about working with Emma and Johannes, Josh replied: "That we feel like a team where there's no ego. That there's no one wanting to put themselves out front more than the others.
"That we feel like we've all got our different personalities and they gel together. Emma and Johannes are just so generous, sweet and funny - they make working on Strictly feel even more exciting and joyous to me."
Mixed reactions from viewers
Josh, who is set to return for the second episode on Saturday, has yet to win over audiences, though it's still very early days. Just hours after the Strictly launch show, viewers issued mixed responses on social media.
Posting on X, one wrote: "Josh Widdicombe just looks out of place like he doesn't have the Strictly pizzazz. He's funny and all, but he just doesn't fit the show's vibe."
Echoing this sentiment, a second mused, "Emma Willis is excellent… Jojo is fine… Josh seems like a spare part". Meanwhile, a third wrote: "Someone please save Josh, he looks lost."
Praise and looking ahead
On the flip side, however, Josh has received some praise, with others arguing that the comedian and his co-stars need more time to get into the swing of things. "Josh will come into his own when the show is live. He's a comedian and needs things to react to. He's going to be just fine," predicted one fan. "I thought Josh was really good and that it worked well as a three. I feel like a lot of the opinions were formed before the show even started," added another.
In the meantime, Josh is already looking ahead and focusing on the future. Sharing his excitement over next month's Halloween episode, the presenter said: "It actually falls on Halloween this year. I just can't wait to dress up and see everyone else on the show dressed up for it. And also, crucially, it gets me out of going trick-or-treating."
