Josh Widdicombe Called 'Lamb to the Slaughter' in Divisive 'Strictly' Hosting Debut
Former professional dancer Brendan Cole criticizes the comedian's placement in the new three-presenter lineup, while viewers express mixed reactions.
New host Josh Widdicombe has been described as a "lamb to the slaughter" following his debut on the BBC's "Strictly Come Dancing." Brendan Cole, a former professional dancer on the show for 14 years, stated that Widdicombe appeared "out of place" alongside co-hosts Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe.
Widdicombe, a comedian, joined Willis and Radebe for the pre-recorded launch show on Saturday. The new trio of presenters has proven to be a point of contention for some viewers, with many questioning the necessity of three hosts and expressing a preference for the previous pairing of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Cole, speaking to The Sun, acknowledged Widdicombe's potential as a presenter and suggested he is "fun to watch." However, he felt Widdicombe looked out of his element, particularly when standing next to the "flamboyant" Radebe and the "ultimate professional" Willis, who has a "strong presenting style."
"I feel a bit sorry for him because he’s a bit like a lamb to the slaughter," Cole said. "He looked like a little lamb at times but not because he wasn’t good at his job. He’s not a dancer, he’s a comedian."
Despite the criticism, Cole urged viewers to give Widdicombe time, noting that only the launch show has been broadcast. "I’d hate to be in the presenter's shoes," he added.
Viewers took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice their opinions. "I can’t understand why we need 3 presenters???" one user wrote. Another commented, "3 hosts are different but I love emma willis so happy she’s part of this. Why does it need 3 presenters?... It just doesn't work."
Widdicombe himself addressed his debut on the "Parenting Hell" podcast with Rob Beckett. He stated that he enjoyed the experience, describing working with Willis and Radebe as "a joy." He also acknowledged the show's focus, noting, "Strangely, I’m not a huge part of this. This is a show we are a bit of."
Beckett, in a social media post, defended Widdicombe and the new presenting team, calling their performance "joyful" and "confident." He expressed that the show felt like a "normal episode of Strictly" and "the start of something really special."