Strictly fans call out Josh Widdicombe after spotting strange hosting habit on show launch – but did you notice?

STRICTLY fans have called out host Josh Widdicombe after spotting a strange hosting habit of his during the show’s launch on Saturday. The 43-year-old comedian appeared as one of the show’s new hosts alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe, as the class of 2026 made their ballroom debuts. Strictly fans have called out host Josh Widdicombe after spotting a strange hosting habit Credit: BBC Josh, Emma and Johannes made their hosting debut on Saturday Credit: BBC Emma, Josh and Johannes were announced as the new hosts back in May after Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly stepped down in October last year. But fans have swiftly picked up on a ‘strange’ habit Josh has while hosting, as they noticed him lip-reading his co-hosts’ lines from the autocue. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! Taking to social media, one person shared a clip of Josh doing just that, while standing next to Emma and Johannes. They penned: “Josh as a comedian? Yes. Josh as a presenter? No. Reading autocue is pretty easy, but what you’re not meant to do is lip read your co-hosts’ lines. Disappointed, and I would have loved to have seen a former It Takes Two presenter to join the talented Emma and Johannes.” The comment, made on X, has racked up hundreds of likes with many agreeing and saying they’d also spotted Josh’s hosting habit. But others were quick to rush to the comedian’s defence, with one person writing: “I’m sure Josh will get better with time and be a natural presenter eventually. Rooting for him.” Another person penned: “Give them a chance. It was nerve racking, but it’ll improve once the dancing hots up.” It seems lots of viewers couldn’t seem to get over the presenting change up Credit: PA Ahead of the live show, Josh said he was “living in a ball of fear.” Most read in TV The presenter appeared on The One Show with his co-hosts Johannes and Emma – and Josh appeared to have major regrets. Josh said: “It’s nerve-racking because it feels like we’ve been waiting for so long to do this and for this to go out. “I’ve been living in a ball of fear, I think that’s fair to say, but since we’ve done the launch show, I just want people to see it, because we had the best time.” Teasing their different roles on the show, former professional dancer Johannes said: “What’s lovely is the fact that you won’t get to know exactly what our roles are on this launch show, but I say people should tune in because that’s the most exciting part… it’s different!” During Saturday night’s launch, Emma seemingly let slip the date of Strictly’s final, just moments into her debut presenting the show. Emma told viewers: “It is our genuine honour to be here. “And we cannot wait to spend the next 13 weeks with all of you.” The launch show aired on September 19, meaning 13 weeks later is December 19, 2026. Despite this, discussing the presenters on X, fans seemed to take to Emma, calling her a ‘natural’. “Well I think they’re doing a pretty good job so far #Emma clearly stands out as the professional though,” one penned. Another agreed: “Emma Willis is going to have a bad back , she’s absolutely carrying this show.” But while Emma, whose previous TV hosting credits include Big Brotherand The Voice UK, hit it off with audiences at home, others weren’t so taken with Josh. “Josh widdecombe is out of his depth presenting this show absolute muppet,” tweeted one. Another quipped: “When can we vote Josh Widdicombe out? #strictly.” “I have no issue with Josh Widdicombe as a comedian but for this atmosphere, he just feels so out of place,” a fellow fan tweeted. “Surely it would have worked better with Emma in the Tess role and Johannes in the Claudia one?” It seems lots of viewers couldn’t seem to get over the presenting change up, as one penned: “Bring them back PLEASE #Strictly,” alongside a picture of former hosts Tess Daley and Claudia Winkleman. Comment now