Josh Widdicombe has opened up about his new role as one of the hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, admitting that eliminations are the part of the job he finds most difficult.
The comedian was announced earlier this year as one of three new hosts of the BBC One dance show, alongside presenter Emma Willis and professional dancer Johannes Radebe. They took over from previous hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
It is the first time three people have fronted the programme, a change that has taken some viewers time to get used to after a two-person presenting team had been in place since the show began in 2004.
New presenting line-up
During the first weeks of the 2026 contest, the new hosts have been splitting presenting duties. Emma and Josh have been positioned by the judges' table, as Tess used to be, while Johannes has joined the couples on the balcony ahead of the score reveal, the role previously occupied by Claudia.
The first results show of the series took place on Sunday October 4, leading to the first elimination. It was the first time the new hosts had faced a results show, following their debut during the pre-recorded launch show the previous month.
It also marked the first time the three presenters took on different roles. Emma and Johannes started upstairs chatting with the judges before the elimination began. Josh then swapped upstairs with Johannes to talk to the celebrities who were safe, while Emma remained on the dancefloor to announce the results. The change was welcomed by viewers.
Josh's honest admission
Josh has now appeared solo on Strictly's BBC Two spin-off, It Takes Two, and chatted to host Ellie Taylor about what the job is really like.
Former Strictly contestant and comedian Ellie asked: "Josh, three weeks in to the biggest show on British telly, has it sunk in yet?" Josh replied: "No, has it sunk in for you?" Ellie commented: "Well, you're doing the Saturday night's there's a lot of eyes on it..."
Josh quipped: "Yeah, tell me about it! Don't bring that up with me, I'm enjoying myself." He added: "I'm having a lovely time. Genuinely, I'm having the time of my life."
Eliminations 'so intense'
But there is one part of the show he has not quite got used to. "I know this sounds weird but when I took the Strictly job I didn't realise how difficult eliminations was going to be, emotions would be... it's so intense, you feel terrible," he admitted.
Josh added: "You know what, being upstairs with JoJo talking to the couples that got through... what a sweet gig that is. Poor old Emma downstairs. We're upstairs with the people who are through, but it's really sad."
