A new face on Strictly
Josh Widdicombe is one of the new presenters of Strictly Come Dancing in 2026. He is joining Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as the programme begins a new chapter after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left the presenting team.
- Josh Widdicombe is a new Strictly host
- He will present the show with Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe
- His new job is different from being a contestant
- He has appeared on Strictly before
This opening answers the main question at once. It also gives readers a reason to continue: Josh has already experienced the show as a dancer, but he now returns in a completely different role.
Who is Josh Widdicombe?
Josh Widdicombe is an English comedian, presenter, podcaster and author. Many viewers know him from The Last Leg, where he has worked as a team captain for more than 30 series alongside Adam Hills and Alex Brooker:
- He is best known for television comedy
- He has worked on shows, podcasts and live performances
- He is known for a friendly and self-deprecating style
- His comedy background gives him experience speaking to large audiences
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Josh Widdicombe’s career before Strictly
Before becoming a Strictly Come Dancing presenter, Josh built a long career in British comedy and television. His work on The Last Leg, Taskmaster and Parenting Hell helped make him a familiar face to UK viewers.
- He has presented and appeared on comedy programmes
- He co-hosts the Parenting Hell podcast with Rob Beckett
- He won the first series of Taskmaster in 2015
- He has experience with live television and comedy audiences
The key point is not to list every programme Josh has worked on. The useful information is that he already knows how to perform, interview people and react quickly in front of an audience.
What is Josh Widdicombe’s Strictly role?
Josh’s Strictly role is to help present and guide the programme. He is not joining the professional dancers, and he is not announced as a regular contestant in the 2026 series. His job is to speak with celebrities, dancers and viewers while helping the show move from one part to the next.
- He helps introduce the programme
- He can speak to contestants and professional dancers
- He helps explain what is happening during the show
- He brings comedy and conversation to the presenting team
Reports say the new hosts do not have completely separate, fixed jobs. Instead, the three presenters want to work together as a team, with each person taking part in different parts of the show.
Why is Josh Widdicombe hosting Strictly?
Josh is hosting Strictly as part of the BBC’s new presenting team. His experience as a comedian and television personality gives him a strong background for a large entertainment programme, although the BBC has not said that one single reason explains his appointment.
- He has many years of television experience
- He is comfortable speaking to live audiences
- He can bring humour to interviews and stage moments
- He already knows the Strictly world from his earlier appearance
It is important to separate confirmed facts from opinion. Writers can explain why his experience may help, but they should not present private discussions or unconfirmed selection reasons as fact.
Who are the new Strictly hosts?
The new Strictly Come Dancing presenting team includes Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. This is the first permanent three-person hosting line-up for the programme, making the 2026 series a major change for viewers.
- Emma Willis is an experienced television presenter
- Josh Widdicombe is a comedian and television personality
- Johannes Radebe is a former professional Strictly dancer
- The three hosts are replacing the previous presenting duo
What does Emma Willis bring to the team?
Emma Willis is an established television presenter who has worked across entertainment and reality programmes. Her experience gives the new team a presenter who is familiar with large live shows and conversations with well-known guests.
- She has strong experience in television
- She is one of the three official 2026 hosts
- She helps give the team a confident presenting voice
H2: What does Johannes Radebe bring to Strictly?
Johannes Radebe brings direct experience from the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom. Before becoming a presenter, he was one of the programme’s professional dancers, so he understands the training, pressure and excitement faced by the celebrity contestants.
- He knows the Strictly ballroom well.
- He understands the professional dancers’ work.
- He can explain the show from an experienced dancer’s view.
- His move from dancer to host is part of the programme’s new format.
Do not describe Johannes as the only expert on the team. His dance background is one part of a presenting group that also includes Emma’s television experience and Josh’s comedy experience.
H2: Josh Widdicombe’s previous Strictly appearance
Josh had already appeared on Strictly Come Dancing before becoming a host. He took part in the 2024 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, where he was paired with professional dancer Karen Hauer.
- His earlier appearance was in a Christmas Special.
- He danced with Karen Hauer.
- He performed a Charleston in a penguin costume.
- He later returned to the show as a presenter.
This distinction matters. Josh appeared as a celebrity participant in the Christmas programme, but that does not mean he competed in a full regular Strictly series.
H2: Josh Widdicombe and Karen Hauer
Josh Widdicombe and Karen Hauer performed together in the 2024 Christmas Special. Their Charleston, performed in penguin costumes, became one of the memorable details from Josh’s first appearance on the programme.
- Karen Hauer was Josh’s professional dance partner.
- They performed a Charleston.
- They wore penguin costumes for the routine.
- Josh later moved from the dance floor to the presenter’s desk.
Use the keyword Josh Widdicombe Karen Hauer only where it sounds natural. The article should not suggest that their partnership is the main reason Josh received the hosting job unless a reliable source confirms that claim.
H2: Was Josh Widdicombe a Strictly contestant?
Josh was a celebrity participant in the 2024 Christmas Special, but he was not a regular contestant in a full series. He has also said that he would have liked to compete in a normal series, although he joked that he might not have lasted until the end.
- He took part in the Christmas Special.
- He did not compete in a full regular series.
- He has spoken about his contestant dream.
- His confirmed 2026 role is as a host.
This section answers an important search question without exaggerating his history. It also uses Josh Widdicombe Strictly contestant and Josh Widdicombe Strictly contestant dream in a natural way.
H2: How did Josh get the Strictly hosting job?
Josh has said that a joke text may have helped begin the path towards his new job. After Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced that they were leaving, he sent a message to producer Sarah James saying, “All right, I’ll take the job.” He later forgot about the message before being contacted about an audition.
- The message was intended as a joke.
- It was sent after the previous hosts announced their departure.
- Josh was later contacted about an audition.
- The text does not prove that he was hired because of one message.
This is a strong human-interest section because it gives the article a memorable detail. Present it as a reported story and avoid claiming that the text alone secured the job.
H2: What has Josh said about his new role?
Josh has described the opportunity as a major moment in his career. He also said that he had a comfortable life with his comedy tours, The Last Leg, his podcast and his family, but decided that the opportunity was too important to refuse.
- He said the decision was a big career choice.
- He did not want the presenters to have rigid, separate roles.
- He described the new team as a group effort.
- He has spoken positively about taking the opportunity.
H2: How have viewers reacted to the new hosts?
Viewer reaction to the new team has been mixed. Some people welcomed the change and praised Emma Willis, while others said that seeing three new presenters felt unusual or awkward after many years with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
- Some viewers welcomed the fresh presenting team.
- Some viewers missed Tess and Claudia.
- Some viewers were unsure about having three presenters.
- Audience opinions may change as the series continues.
Do not present a few social media comments as the opinion of all viewers. Use wording such as “some viewers” and “online reactions were mixed”. This keeps the section fair and avoids exaggeration.
H2: What can viewers expect from Josh?
Viewers can expect Josh to bring comedy, conversation and a different style to the Strictly ballroom. His earlier experience as a celebrity participant may also help him understand how nervous contestants can feel when they perform in front of the judges and the audience.
- He may use humour during interviews.
- He can speak with celebrities and dancers.
- He understands some of the pressure faced by contestants.
- His role will be part of a shared team presentation style.
Avoid promising specific jokes, routines or backstage moments before they happen. A helpful article should explain what is known and clearly mark what is only an expectation.
H2: Frequently asked questions
Is Josh Widdicombe a new Strictly host?
Yes. Josh Widdicombe is one of the three new presenters of Strictly Come Dancing in 2026. He is hosting the programme with Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe.
What is Josh Widdicombe’s role on Strictly?
Josh is a presenter. He helps guide the programme, speak with contestants and dancers, and keep the show moving between performances and other segments.
Was Josh Widdicombe a Strictly contestant?
He appeared in the 2024 Christmas Special with Karen Hauer. This was a festive programme and not a full regular series of the main competition.
Who are the new Strictly hosts?
The new presenting team is Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. They replaced the previous presenting partnership of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Has Josh Widdicombe worked on The Last Leg?
Yes. He is known for his work on The Last Leg, where he has appeared as a team captain alongside Adam Hills and Alex Brooker.
H2: Final answer
Josh Widdicombe’s new Strictly role is to present the show, not compete as a regular celebrity contestant. His comedy career, work on The Last Leg and earlier appearance in the 2024 Christmas Special all help explain why viewers are interested in his move to the hosting team.
- Josh is one of the three new 2026 hosts.
- He presents the show with Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe.
- He previously danced with Karen Hauer.
- His current role is presenter, not regular contestant.
The article should end with the confirmed facts rather than a prediction. That gives readers a clear answer and leaves them with a useful understanding of Josh’s journey from celebrity participant to Strictly Come Dancing host.
