Josh Widdicombe's Father Comments on Son's 'Strictly' Role Amid Comedian's £12 Million Fortune

Josh Widdicombe, known for his awkward persona and often self-deprecating humor, has taken on a surprising new role as co-host of the BBC's flagship entertainment show, 'Strictly Come Dancing.' While Widdicombe has built a career playing an exasperated everyman, behind the scenes he has quietly accumulated a business and property empire valued at £12 million.

His father, Tom Widdicombe, a 76-year-old horse trainer who describes himself as a "full-on hippy" from the 1960s, expressed amusement at his son's primetime television status. Tom, who still operates a market stall in Devon selling vintage tools, noted the local interest in his son's new role. "So many people come up, have a conversation then try to weave in a joke about Strictly, like 'oh you won’t need to be on your stall much longer', as if what he earns is anything to do with me," he told the local magazine Totnes Pulse.

Tom, who lives on Dartmoor with Josh's mother, Sarah, a climate change activist, observed that his son's position on such a mainstream show, given his own counter-cultural background, was paradoxical. However, he identified a shared trait between father and son: a penchant for showing off. "One of the things I have learned off him is he doesn’t mind showing off," Tom said, adding that the professional nature of television, with its chauffeurs and accommodations, allows performers to focus on their craft.

Widdicombe's transition to co-hosting 'Strictly,' following in the footsteps of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, surprised many. Prior to this role, the comedian was known for his long-standing presence on Channel 4's 'The Last Leg' since 2012, as well as appearances on shows like 'QI' and 'Have I Got News For You,' and sold-out stand-up tours.

His most lucrative ventures, however, have been outside traditional television. In 2020, Widdicombe and fellow comedian Rob Beckett launched the popular podcast 'Parenting Hell.' Widdicombe, who has two children with his television producer wife Rose Hanson, has also translated his experiences of parenthood into live arena shows and a best-selling book. Filings with Companies House reveal that even before his 'Strictly' appointment, Widdicombe had amassed significant wealth. His primary company, Troublems Limited, held £5.8 million as of March of the previous year, while his property company, Penrose Lodging Limited, had £2.7 million in assets. These holdings include an £850,000 property in Cornwall marketed as "Cornwall's most stylish rental." Widdicombe also purchased a £2.95 million family home, formerly owned by Noel Edmonds, in Exeter last year, having sold a property in Hackney for £2.3 million. His podcast company, Keeping it Light Media Limited, is valued at £383,000, with another company, Page 302 Productions Limited, worth £158,470.

Tom Widdicombe attributes his son's success to a strong work ethic, inherited from his mother's side of the family. He recalled Josh's determination as a teenager to earn his own money, including a summer spent working at a petrol station. "My wife’s side of the family has a strong work ethic and Josh has got that as well," Tom stated.

Despite his financial success, Widdicombe has spoken about money as a source of anxiety, admitting on 'Parenting Hell' to delaying tax payments due to his discomfort with large sums leaving his account. He has also candidly discussed the personal toll of his workload, including periods of burnout, anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia, which led him to give up alcohol. He shared in 2024 that antidepressants had provided him with the necessary space to improve his mental well-being.

Regarding Widdicombe's role on 'Strictly,' former professional dancer Brendan Cole commented that Widdicombe, while a good presenter and fun to watch, appeared out of his depth compared to co-hosts Johannes Radebe and Emma Willis, suggesting he was a "lamb to the slaughter."

Tom Widdicombe himself does not watch 'Strictly,' but expressed a desire for his own taste of the showbiz world, stating, "Anybody need an old hippy? Give me a shout."