How badly did Rylan’s audition go if Strictly went for awkward Josh instead? His only contribution was background cackle

DID Josh Widdicombe take some magical potion in the Strictly chemistry auditions that transformed him from geeky comic to dazzling showman? If so, it had certainly worn off by Saturday night’s series opener. Remarkably unfunny for a comedian, Josh Widdicombe’s main contribution on Strictly seemed to be providing a constant background cackle Credit: BBC How badly did Rylan Clark’s audition go if they went for Josh instead? Credit: Mike Marsland/WireImage Looking like the lovechild of Alan Bennett and Sandi Toksvig, Josh was a constantly awkward presence. Remarkably unfunny for a comedian, his main contribution seemed to be providing a constant background cackle like a demonic laugh echoing around a haunted house. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! You have to wonder: how badly did Rylan Clark’s audition go if they went for Josh instead? Did he stagger into auditions drunk with a black eye and try to snog Shirley Ballas? Looking like the lovechild of Alan Bennett, above and Sandi Toksvig, Josh was a constantly awkward presence on Saturday night’s opener Credit: Alamy The new hosts meet the pro dancers and celebs as the action gets underway Credit: BBC Because all I kept thinking is how Emma, who was brilliant as the new queen of Strictly, would have been perfectly paired with Rylan. The jury’s still out on Johannes Radebe. He’s yet to find his groove. But it’s fair to say that, after the first show, it’s not obvious why the BBC went for this particular trio — or why they didn’t just go for a duo. Sheer curiosity has, it seems, done the trick with the ratings, though. Most read in TV Although 5.8m is still well down on the 7.3m watching the launch show in 2023, it’s still up on 2024 and 2025. Credit where it’s due, there was a breath of fresh air blowing across the dance floor too, thanks to five new pros. As for the celebrity contestants, it might not look like a Royal Variety Performance line-up, but they may still out to be entertaining — and who knows, one of them may yet provide Strictly with a brilliant host. Comment now