Josh Widdicombe, one of the three new Strictly Come Dancing hosts, has said he is limiting his social media consumption after receiving backlash over his new TV role. During his podcast Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett, the comedian revealed he had started using a brick phone to reduce his screen time.
Comedian's social media break
Speaking to Rob Beckett, Widdicombe said: "I'm back on the brick. You've inspired me and I'm loving the brick again. It's mad that we've reached this space in time where we have to buy a second phone because we're being dragged into these apps."
Beckett joked that Widdicombe had "pulled the drawbridge up" on his social media usage since 2003. Widdicombe joined in, saying he "pulled the drawbridge up at 2008 when I started stand up".
First live show criticism
The comments came days after fans criticised Widdicombe's live Strictly debut. On Saturday 26 September, the 43-year-old joined fellow new hosts Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as 15 celebrities took to the dancefloor for their first live show. Widdicombe cracked jokes with the judges while Radebe spoke to contestants in a roped-off area upstairs at the studio.
Many fans were unimpressed by the trio's performance, complaining about missed cues, fluffed lines and the number of presenters. Strictly has traditionally had two hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, and some viewers felt adding a third was too many. One said: "Okay, I don’t want to be a hater, but three hosts is just not working. Not at all." Another added: "I normally enjoy Strictly, but not this year. The presenters just don’t gel."
Defence from colleagues
Professional dancer Lauren Oakley came to the new presenters' defence on Instagram Stories, saying: "We couldn't be in safer hands than with these beautiful people. Strictly is about family, uplifting others, and creating a safe space for celebrity contestants to be vulnerable and do something so outside of their comfort zone. This trio have been so warm and welcoming, and they felt like family from the minute they stepped into the studio, and we love having them with us. Professional, funny, kind and fantastic at what they do. I couldn't feel more lucky to be sharing the screen and our Saturday nights with them."
Widdicombe reposted the story to his own account with three red heart emojis. TV presenter Richard Osman also defended him on his podcast The Rest Is Entertainment, saying: "The producers are watching that more carefully than viewers are watching it. The producers know."
