Josh Widdicombe insists he has overcome his Strictly nerves as he reveals he landed presenter role by sending a jokey text to BBC producer

Josh Widdicombe says his new role presenting Strictly Come Dancing is a defining moment in his career, and one that he is confidently leaning into. The comedian, 43, made his Strictly debut on Saturday night, presenting the pre-recorded launch show with his fellow new hosts Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe.Viewer reaction was decidedly mixed with many struggling to understand why the BBC show needs three presenters to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.Alongside live telly veteran Emma and Strictly's fan favourite dancer Johannes, Josh could easily be considered the spare part in the trio, and indeed the comedian has admitted he used his humour to convince producers to audition him.Last October on the day Tess and Claudia made the shock announcement they were leaving Strictly after 21 years, Josh texted the show's executive producer Sarah James, who he had gotten to know whilst competing on the show's 2024 Christmas special, to joke, 'All right, I'll take the job'.The next day James replied, saying his text had been the one thing that made her laugh on a tough day, setting the wheels in motion. Josh Widdicombe says his new role presenting Strictly Come Dancing is a defining moment in his career, and one that he is confidently leaning into 'I don't know. Was I unconsciously putting my hat in the ring with this text that was perhaps my greatest ever career move? I think that is something I will be dealing with with a therapist for the next 20 years,' Josh has admitted of his jokey pitch.After that text, the comedian, who will juggle his Strictly role with his hugely successful podcast Parenting Hell and duties on his long-running Channel 4 show The Last Leg, was invited for a long series of auditions. 'I thought I was rubbish,' he has told The Times of those try-outs. 'Everything I said felt false. I didn't know where to put my hands.' But after auditioning solo, which involved him interacting with the judges and commentating on members of production posing as contestants, things took a turn when Josh auditioned with Johannes and Emma for the first time. 'From the moment we met, everyone was on the same wavelength, everyone was laughing,' he said. And recording the launch show gave him the final boost of confidence he needed. 'I was like, "Oh no, we're good at this, this is fun." I am confident in this. I am not a rubbish comedian, I know that.''I have a confidence in myself I'd never had before,' he continued. 'I know I can be good value on, you know, Blankety Blank, The Wheel, Radio 2. I'd assume that's why the Strictly producers wanted me.''But I'd never have been good on those before Parenting Hell because I had never quite nailed down who I was. Then settling down, having two kids, talking about my family, stopping drinking, moving to Devon… I think I suit middle age.' Josh made his Strictly debut on Saturday night, presenting the pre-recorded launch show with his fellow new hosts Emma Willis and Johannes RadebeThe new series of Strictly finally kicked off on Saturday night, with new hosts at the helm, a format shakeup and 15 nervous celebs.Emma, Josh and Johannes, joined the dance floor for the first ever time as they welcomed back judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.Sharing his nerves, Josh said: 'It's a little bit overwhelming to be here but we are so excited...''We cannot wait to spend the next 13 weeks with all of you,' Emma said.Viewers at home hailed Emma 'the goddess of British TV' as she launched the series in a plunging glitzy dress.While the TV personality went down a hit with fans, bemused fans asked: 'Why do we need three hosts?' as they shared their verdict on social media. While Emma went down a hit with fans, bemused fans asked: 'Why do we need three hosts?' as they shared their verdict on social mediaUsers wrote on X: 'i love emma, jojo and josh but it feels so odd without tess and claude, this is gonna take some getting used to,''I can’t understand why we need 3 presenters???''3 hosts are different but I love emma willis so happy she’s part of this,''Emma and Johannes have got this but Josh just does not fit #Strictly,' 'Why does it need 3 presenters? It just doesn't work,' 'Is it way too early to say I’m not sold on these hosts and I want Tess and Claud back? #strictly,'As the hosts previously explained, the new presenting format is fluid with no 'like-for-like' replacements for Claudia and Tess. Instead, seasoned TV presenter Emma, comedian Josh and Strictly pro dancer Johannes tried out different combinations during the launch show episode. Pre-recorded last week, it saw the new crop of celebrities find out who they will be dancing with for, potentially, 13 weeks as they vie for the Glitterball trophy.Taking to Instagram before the show, Tess wished the new trio the best of luck as she wrote: 'BBC Strictly class of 26! So excited for tonight! And to finally be able to watch Strictly in flat shoes'.Strictly continues on Saturday, September 26 on BBC One. STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS LACEY TURNER AGE: 38BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'DELTA GOODREMAGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albumsWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'CACH MERCERAGE: 25BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencerWHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'DAME SARAH STOREYAGE: 48BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'BETHANY ANTONIA AGE: 28BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the DragonWHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALLAGE: 59BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) BadlyWHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'TABBY STOECKER AGE: 25BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racerWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'MELANIE WALTERS AGE: 64BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & StaceyWHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.' DANI DYERAGE: 30BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny DyerWHY STRICTLY?: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'CHRIS APPLETONAGE: 43BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer LopezWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'WILL BESTAGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TVWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'JAIME WINSTONEAGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb RaiderWHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS AGE: 44BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester CityWHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'LAWRENCE ROBBAGE: 34BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV's EmmerdaleWHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!'JOHN NELLIS AGE: 33BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channelWHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!'