Josh Widdicombe has officially stepped into the spotlight as one of the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, joining Emma Willis and professional dancer Johannes Radebe for the show’s 24th series. The 43-year-old comedian, known for his sharp wit on The Last Leg, was spotted leaving BBC studios with a smile, marking his first public appearance since being revealed as a favourite for the coveted role .
Josh will be the first male host of Strictly since Bruce Forsyth retired, taking on the challenge of bringing humour, energy, and reassurance to the celebrity contestants. Emma Willis, praised for her live presenting experience and on-screen poise, joins him to ensure the show maintains its signature polish, while Johannes adds his professional dance expertise and charisma to the mix .
Behind the scenes, BBC bosses reportedly conducted weeks of secret auditions and chemistry tests with nine shortlisted candidates, including Rylan Clark, Tom Allen, and Alex Jones. Insiders say the chosen trio impressed with their instant chemistry and ability to engage both contestants and the audience .
Fans can also look forward to a glittering lineup of returning professional dancers, including Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, Vito Coppola, and Amy Dowden, while familiar judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton du Beke will once again provide critiques. Some long-standing pros, such as Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, and Nadiya Bychkova, will not be returning this season .
The BBC hopes the combination of fresh hosting energy and veteran talent will inject new excitement into the series, keeping Strictly Come Dancing at the top of Saturday night entertainment.
