Strictly Come Dancing host Josh Widdicombe has a surprising family link to one of television's most iconic children's characters. His mother-in-law, puppeteer Violet Philpott, was one of the creative minds behind Zippy, the beloved puppet from the BBC series Rainbow.
A Family Connection to Rainbow
Widdicombe married television producer Rose Hanson in 2019. Hanson has worked on popular programmes including Live at the Apollo and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and has served as an assistant producer on shows such as Alan Carr: Chatty Man and Would I Lie To You?
Philpott, Hanson's mother, helped create Zippy, who made his debut on Rainbow in 1972. The character was part of a trio of puppets alongside George the hippo and Bungle the bear. It was recently announced that Ronnie Le Drew, the man who voiced Zippy, died at the age of 78.
Widdicombe's Jokes About the Comparison
Widdicombe has previously joked about the parallels between himself and the zip-mouthed puppet. Appearing on Rob Brydon's podcast, he remarked: "I'd be lying if I said that hadn't crossed my mind at points in the sense there's an obvious comparison to be made."
He added: "If there's a Hollywood movie and it turned out that Zippy had been made into a human, and then it was me, it wouldn't be outlandish."
Reflections on Strictly
While awaiting a potential Hollywood adaptation of Zippy, Widdicombe continues his role on Strictly Come Dancing. Reflecting on his experience hosting the programme, he told Ellie Taylor on It Takes Two: "I know this sounds weird, but when I took the Strictly job I didn't realise how difficult eliminations were going to be, emotions would be. It's so intense, you feel terrible."
He went on to say: "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."
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday, October 24, on BBC One at 6:30pm.
