Strictly Come Dancing presenter Josh Widdicombe has said he plans to start taking backstage photos on the BBC show, a change he says he will make now that he is calmer in the role.
Widdicombe, 43, joined Emma Willis, 50, and Johannes Radebe, 39, for this year's Strictly, replacing the previous presenting duo of Tess Daly, 57, and Claudia Winkleman, 54.
Podcast admission
Speaking on episode 31 of season 13 of Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe, recorded earlier this week, the pair discussed their schedules. Widdicombe said both Strictly and Channel 4's The Last Leg, where he appears with Adam Hills and Alex Brooker, would keep him busy until mid-to-late December.
When Beckett, 40, asked what Widdicombe would like to do to relax in his spare time, Widdicombe said: "Go for a run, go and take some photos. Those are the two things I'd love to do."
Beckett then suggested: "I think you should take photos of Strictly behind-the-scenes and all that kind of stuff. Not to put out now, but at some point."
Following Emma Willis's lead
Widdicombe replied that this was a change he would consider, noting that Willis has been taking "good" photos backstage. He added: "Well, do you know what? I never take any photos. And Emma was always taking good photos. And I'm like, 'I should be taking photos'....Now I'm calmer with the whole thing, I'm going to start doing it."
Willis has also addressed the pressures of hosting, sharing a backstage photo of the presenting trio with the caption: "You'll get judged either way, so may as well pick the fun option."
Viewer criticism and response
Widdicombe has faced criticism from viewers since joining Strictly, including over the use of comedy sketches. One person on X wrote: "Stop trying to make every link funny! Especially when you involve the judges who fluff their lines." Another viewer complained: "They really, really need to cut these 'comedy' sketches from Strictly."
Radio Times TV and podcast editor Caroline Frost said the trio have grown as the series has progressed, writing: "I think it's fair to say there were some bumps in the road in the first couple of episodes, but they do appear to be very slowly relaxing into their new roles." Earlier in the year, former Strictly pro Ola Jordan said Widdicombe had come across as being "really nervous" on the programme, reports the Standard.
The trio return to screens tonight with Strictly Come Dancing starting at 6:40pm on November 7 on BBC One.
