Josh Widdicombe Feels Like Weird Little Guy on Strictly

Josh Widdicombe has spoken out about his new role as host on Come Dancing, following and 's departure. 

Speaking on his hit podcast Parenting Hell, he relayed his excitement over his role to co-host and fellow comedian Rob Beckett, who praised his pal for nabbing the job. 

Discussing his co-stars Emma Willis and , Josh, 43, branded himself 'the runt of the litter' as he said: 'I'm a weird-looking little guy. I realised I've been cast with two of the most striking looking people on television.'

On his diminutive height, he went on: 'Jojo is 6'2", Emma's the same height as me but she'll be wearing heels, we've already discussed it's going to be fun for the special I may be the first person to go as on Icons Night.'

Rob, 40, went on to warn potential trolls that he would be hitting back at critics of his co-host, who he poked fun at for scooping the role despite frequently grumbling over his busy schedule and time away from home after relocating from London to Exeter.

Continuing in their dumbfoundedness over his new role, Josh joked that he would not have been in the bookies' running due to his unlikely casting, while Rob goaded Josh for 'lying' during his appearance on Good Morning Britain earlier in the week.

After much speculation over who would step into Tess and Claudia's shoes, the trio were announced on Tuesday in a tradition-busting decision by bosses to have three hosts after 22 years of having a two-person hosting team. 

On the podcast, Rob congratulated Josh, to which he said: 'It's wild... I suppose it's one of the biggest shows in modern history, I suppose with I'm A Celebrity, Big Brother. I'm glad it's out there because I've been lying to people.'

When his pal accused him of acting like a politician on GMB, Josh defiantly stated: 'I didn't lie on Good Morning Britain, I evaded questions.'

The duo spoke about the promo shoot paired with the announcement, which saw Josh look suave in a navy suit while Johannes sported a plunging green ensemble and Emma wore a jumpsuit while they all held glitter balls. 

Josh said: 'Lovely Emma and Jojo. This is recorded just after the announcement. I love the photo... We are [having loads of fun]. My face is disbelieving...

'I don't like the way I'm holding the glitterball. I'm holding the glitterball like it's the last go and I've got a 7-10 split on the bowling.'

Rob responded: 'You look great in it, the smile is great, the suit is perfect but the way you're holding the glitterball concerns me. It's hard to pose with a glitterball.'

The Bromley-born star has recently filmed Celebrity Traitors in Scotland and spoke about how he propels his co-stars to huge fame, with long-time collaborator Romesh Ranganathan fronting The Weakest Link and Josh scooping Strictly, 

Josh said: 'It's weird what our lives have become. We started as stand-ups and we're now BBC One. You Traitors, me Strictly. You've won about 700 BAFTAs...

'You don't even show up [to the BAFTAs] anymore! It's so weird, obviously when this opportunity came up initially I thought I really like my life would I want to throw it into flux. It's a defining thing you're doing but I thought what an incredible thing.'

Echoing his remarks about looking 'weird' next to co-stars, Rob spoke about his Traitors co-star Maya Jama, saying: 'I worked with Maya Jama and I'm like we can't be the same species'. 

Following the announcement, Josh remarked: 'Genuinely, this is the most exciting thing in my life that I've ever kept to myself. Can't wait', Emma added: 'I still can't find the words because my tummy is flipping consistently.

'I would imagine it's how you feel when you know you've got to walk down the stairs 'dancing the cha cha! And like everything goes to jelly. That's how I feel thinking about what we're about to do.'