Josh Widdicombe ‘offered Strictly Come Dancing presenting job’ after ‘nailing’ tests
Josh Widdicombe has reportedly been offered the job to present Strictly Come Dancing alongside Emma Willis, with an announcement said to be made in the coming days
Josh Widdicombe is set to be announced as a Strictly Come Dancing presenter(Image: Matt Crossick/PA Media Assignments)
A top TV comic has reportedly been offered the Strictly Come Dancing presenting job. Josh Widdicombe is said to have left bosses impressed after going through various rounds of testing.
Josh, who is no stranger to the BBC dancing programme, left bosses with no other option but to sign him up after the recent auditions to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Since Tess and Claudia announced their departure last year, bosses have been scrambling to find replacements for the dynamic duo who can maintain the show’s fun, positive atmosphere. And they believe they’ve found just the people for the roles. Emma Willis was one of the top choices, with sources saying she “nailed the chemistry tests and the BBC adore her”.
“Josh has been offered the job alongside Emma, and it’s his for the taking,” a source said. They went on to tell The Sun: “He entered the running a little later than the others, but he nailed the chemistry tests.
“Josh is so good at live TV thanks to co-hosting The Last Leg on Channel 4, and he’s also quick-witted, kooky, awkward and funny. He can bring the comedy they need like Claudia Winkelman did in the ‘Claudatorium’ while Emma is seen as the sensible one, like Tess Daly.”
They added that bosses at the show have told Josh “he’s the man they want for the job”. Josh, however, has previously competed on Strictly, in the 2024 Christmas special, encouraged by his daughter.
Having danced the Charleston with Karen Hauer, the pair scored an impressive 36 points but narrowly lost out to drag legend Tayce, who nailed the top score of 40. Sources claim that the BBC have made official offers and believes that Josh and Emma are the perfect duo for the programme, which is set to return later this year.
A BBC spokesperson told the Mirror: “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.” Elsewhere, professional dancer Johannes Radebe will also be a roving presenter on the show.
A source previously told The Sun: “During the chemistry tests he was paired up with every other celeb and did incredibly well. They all think he would be the perfect partner for Emma.”
A source went on to explain that while the professional dancers have already been announced, including Johannes, that doesn’t mean he won’t get the promotion. His role, according to sources, is currently being figured out after bosses were said to be considering bringing in three new people.
Johannes, thanks to his years on the show as a professional star, knows the routines more than anybody and has firmly cemented himself as a fan favourite. “Whether he’s going to be a host like Emma or take a slightly different presenting role is being ironed out,” the source added.
The South African-born star joined the BBC show in 2018 and, since then, has danced with the likes of Annabel Croft, Catherine Tyldesley and Alex Kingston. He and John Waite became the first same-sex partnership to reach the live final in 2021.
Zoe Ball, who had been a firm front-runner for the job, recently said she was “grieving” after missing out. Zoe competed on the show in 2005, before returning in 2011 to front Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, until she departed in 2020.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
