Bookmakers have given Josh Widdicombe an 80 per cent chance of being dropped from next year's Strictly Come Dancing presenting line-up, as BBC bosses reportedly hold crisis talks over the show's falling ratings.
William Hill has priced the comedian at 1/4 to be excluded from the 2027 series, while he is 11/4 to continue in the role. Co-hosts Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe are more likely to be retained, at 1/10 and 2/9 respectively.
Mixed reaction to new presenting trio
Widdicombe joined the show alongside Willis and Radebe following the departure of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. Some viewers have criticised his hosting skills, describing him as a "spare part" and blaming him for autocue issues and strained pauses, while others have called for Willis to "take over more" or for her husband Matt Willis to replace Widdicombe.
Ratings have fallen to around 5 million, considerably less than the 10 million recorded last year. William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: "It's fair to say there's been a mixed reaction to Strictly's new presenting line-up, and the early odds suggest Josh Widdecombe could be the one facing the chop from the BBC ahead of next year's series."
Bosses hold crisis talks
Producers have reportedly been scrambling to find a solution to the show's dip in popularity, with ratings falling below figures for The Great British Bake Off and ITV dramas. A source told the Mail On Sunday that executives are "bereft" over how the cherished "Premier League product" is now operating at a "League One standard."
The source added: "Nobody wants to give up on Strictly. It's a brilliant show, and everyone inside the BBC believes that. It needs the jazz and glamour put back into it, and they are determined to do that." They said there have been conversations, but a proper meeting is planned where ideas will be put forward on how to resurrect the show, noting it is too late for this series but that it must be overhauled for next year.
Reports suggested new presenters are being considered to replace Widdicombe and Radebe, but a BBC spokesperson denied this, stating: "This is pure and utter speculation."
Former professionals question chemistry
Former Strictly professional dancer Ola Jordan questioned the new hosts' chemistry, saying Widdicombe comes across as "really nervous" and Willis should "take over more." She told Mecca Bingo: "I think Emma is amazing and I would like her to talk more. I would like her to take over more. The other two, obviously, I think they're still finding their feet."
She added: "It was a bit messy at times, with the links with Johannes Radebe for example. I think they just need to clean it all up and make it a bit cleaner for next time." Discussing the backlash, she said: "I think maybe Josh Widdicombe is really nervous still, so I think we're not getting that comedy as we would like to. I think he needs to maybe warm up a bit more and maybe he's just really nervous."
Last month, separate insiders said bosses are staying firm with the new hosts and will give viewers time to adjust. A source told The Mirror: "The public needs a bit of time to get used to them and they need a bit of space to bed in. This will happen in the coming weeks." They noted there was a more positive reaction this weekend than after the first live show, adding: "We're British and we're not very good at change - but this formula is here to stay so everyone needs to get used to it."
