‘I work with Josh Widdicombe – this is what he’s like behind the scenes’
Josh Widdicombe’s new Strictly Come Dancing co-stars have opened up about what the comedian is really like behind the scenes after the show’s new presenting trio made their debut last weekend.
Emma Willis, Josh and Johannes Radebe officially took over the BBC ballroom for series 24, replacing long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Their first appearance together prompted a mixed reaction from viewers, with some fans admitting the show felt different without Tess and Claudia, while others questioned whether Josh looked entirely comfortable in his new role.
But behind the scenes, Emma and Johannes have painted a very different picture, praising Josh’s personality, humour and the chemistry developing between the three presenters.
Johannes Praises Josh’s Natural Humour
Asked by the BBC to reveal what he enjoys most about working with Emma and Josh, Johannes said both presenters have remained completely themselves.
He described Emma as a highly accomplished broadcaster who makes the job appear effortless while still being extremely prepared.
But when it came to Josh, Johannes highlighted his natural comedic instincts.
“Joshy is just brilliantly funny,” he said.
“He has this wonderful ability to find the joke without forcing it.”
Johannes also admitted the three are still working out their rhythm as a team, but believes their different personalities are exactly what makes the new combination interesting.
“For me, it’s been about finding our rhythm as a trio,” he explained.
“I’m learning so much from both of them, and I think we bring very different energies to the show.”
“That’s what makes it exciting.”
Emma Says Trio ‘Gelled’ Immediately
Emma was equally positive when discussing her two new co-hosts.
She described Josh and Johannes as “down to earth, humble, funny, lovely guys” who genuinely love Strictly and want to make the new presenting setup work.
“They’re both so down to earth, humble, funny, lovely guys who both love Strictly with a passion and are here to do a great job and have fun,” she said.
Emma added that the connection between the three of them felt natural almost immediately.
“I think that’s all anyone would want – they’re just fab, and we kind of gelled from the moment we met.”
Her comments come after some viewers questioned the new presenting arrangement following the launch show.
With Tess and Claudia having been associated with Strictly for years, the introduction of three new hosts was always going to bring a major change in tone.
Josh Admits Launch Night Was Exhausting
Josh himself has been open about just how intense the experience was.
The comedian previously described feeling a mixture of “joy and exhaustion off the back of fear” during the launch show.
He later admitted the adrenaline was so overwhelming that he needed two naps the following day.
“I had so much adrenaline on the night that I had to have two naps the day after!” he said.
Josh also revealed that the job did not truly feel real until the moment the programme began.
“I don’t think, at any point since getting the job, it had felt real until we heard the music start up and Alan Dedicoat say our names,” he explained.
‘There’s No Ego’
Despite the pressure, Josh said one of the things he enjoys most about working with Emma and Johannes is the absence of competition between them.
“That we feel like a team where there’s no ego,” he said.
“There’s no one wanting to put themselves out front more than the others.”
Josh believes their personalities are different enough to give each presenter their own role while still working naturally together.
“That we feel like we’ve all got our different personalities and they gel together,” he added.
He went on to describe Emma and Johannes as “generous, sweet and funny”, saying they have made the experience feel even more exciting.
The trio now face the bigger test of the first live show, when all 15 celebrity couples will perform in the ballroom for the first time.
And while viewers may still be adjusting to life after Tess and Claudia, the new hosts appear convinced that their partnership is already beginning to click.
