Comedian and actor Robert Webb has definitively closed the door on returning to Strictly Come Dancing, nearly four years after a health scare forced his dramatic withdrawal from the BBC competition.
Strictly Comeback Firmly Off The Cards
The Peep Show star, now 53, was partnered with professional dancer Dianne Buswell during the show's 19th series in 2021. He made an early exit on medical advice, prioritising his recovery from open heart surgery he had undergone just two years prior.
Speaking exclusively to Reach Screen Time at the 64th Rose d'Or Awards in London, Webb was clear about his future with the glitterball trophy. "No, I think I had an opportunity to do the Christmas special... or did I? No, my Strictly days are very much over," he revealed.
New Reality TV Horizons and Missed Bakes
While a ballroom return is not happening, Webb indicated he is open to other television challenges. He expressed particular interest in the BBC's reality series Celebrity Traitors, though with characteristic self-deprecation.
"I'd be mad not to consider it, although I'd be very bad at it, a really lousy liar and I'm quite stupid, I'm not really very good at games. Also, the challenges are arduous. No, but I mean, do ask," he commented.
The actor also explained his noticeable absence from this year's Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer, a special which features a host of his Peep Show co-stars including David Mitchell and Olivia Colman. Webb disclosed that filming commitments for the CBBC series High Hoops in Yorkshire created a scheduling clash.
He confessed his disappointment at missing the baking tent, joking that he'd sent a video message so he could be "on TV at Christmas without going through the aggro of any baking." Webb admitted he has "never" tried baking but does "quite like" cooking.
Awards Night and Comedy Comeback
Webb was attending the Rose d'Or ceremony with comedy partner David Mitchell. Their show, Mitchell And Webb Are Not Helping, marked their return to sketch comedy after a 15-year hiatus and was nominated in the Comedy Entertainment category.
"We'd like to do it again. We had brilliant fun writing and even making it. I usually hate filming, but it actually went very quickly... and apparently lots of people watched it," Webb said, expressing hope for a second series. The award, however, was won by the Japanese show Ants.
The evening's big winner was the Netflix series Adolescence, which scooped the Drama, Emerging Talent and the prestigious Golden Rose awards. Veteran actress Anne Reid was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her six-decade career.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One, while Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping is available to stream on Channel 4.
