Josh Widdicombe Teases New Strictly Hosting Role

Josh Widdicombe has hinted at his upcoming new gig as the host of Strictly Come Dancing, as he told fans at his last comedy show that his career is 'changing'.

The comedian, 43, is reportedly set to be offered the coveted job alongside Emma Willis after impressing bosses with his late audition.

Josh has already been clearing his schedule for Strictly, as he revealed on Instagram on Sunday that he'd completed his Not My Cup Of Tea tour.

On Friday, the funnyman referenced the rumours while discussing how he has begun to draw in an 'older audience' during his stand-up show at London's Hackney Empire.

He said: 'I have started doing old people's TV shows and attracting older audiences,' while referencing his previous appearance in the Strictly Special in 2024.

Josh continued: 'If I was to sum up the age I have reached - I did the Strictly Christmas special two years ago. 

'I had the worst day of my career. We all had to get up and do a group dance. All the big celebs were there - me, Nitro from Gladiators. All the biggies.

'We all started dancing and I realised I was the worst dancer. This wasn't meant to happen. 'When I signed up I knew I would be fine because I know how Strictly works. There's always a s*** middle-aged bloke that makes everyone else look good.'

'I was like, 'Oh f***. I am the s*** middle-aged guy. I am Adrian Chiles, je suis Jeremy Vine, that is who I am.'

Josh then reflected on the end of his 82-date tour on Sunday, writing on Instagram: 'Tour done! 78 dates since September! So many incredible memories (see above).

'Thank you so much to everyone for coming, have genuinely never enjoyed a tour so much, sad it is over. Kind of. 

'Thank you to my brilliant supports @danecomedian @linzsantoro @chantelnashdoesfunnies @louiseyoungcomedy Thanks to everyone at the peerless @offthekerbcomedy for telling me where to go and when and for keeping me sane. 

'Mostly thanks to @penrosetilbury for doing more childcare than is fair. Time to write some new jokes.

'PS Have three catch up gigs in September we couldn’t fit in but let me have my moment.'

Josh was reportedly named as the new Strictly host on Friday, and is set to join Emma Willis on the BBC show after a cutthroat audition process. 

No stranger to TV, Josh has appeared as a co-host on The Last Leg alongside Alex Brooker and Adam Hills since 2012. 

Bosses will be hoping Josh will serve as a replacement for Claudia Winkleman's comedic energy and help put contestants at ease, while Emma will steer the show.  

The BBC told the Daily Mail: 'Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.' 

A source said earlier this week: 'Josh blew the producers away with his dead-pan, witty banter. He is family friendly, having helmed several shows now, and loves .' 

They added to The Sun: 'The bosses believe he will be ideal to take the show into a new era. After years as a stand-up, he can handle a live audience and is razor-sharp.

'He’s not a household name, yet, and so to step into Brucie’s shoes would be a stellar move for his career.'

Meanwhile Emma is thought to have impressed during the Strictly chemistry tests, with the BBC seeing her as a 'safe pair of hands'. 

A source said on Monday night: 'Emma has been offered the Strictly job and is going to accept. She absolutely nailed the chemistry tests and the adore her.

'Emma is a household name and a safe pair of hands so the BBC know she will do the job justice. She's incredibly popular with the public too and will suit the role down to a tee. She was absolutely thrilled to have been offered the job.'

Meanwhile, Strictly pro Johannes Radebe is reportedly set to join Emma and Josh as part of the hosting line up for the new series.

The South African-born dancer and choreographer, 39, has been a professional on the show since 2018 but a new report now claims he could be presenting this year.

A source said: 'Everyone involved in the auditions – including the celebs – are saying the job is going to JoJo. 

'During the chemistry tests he was paired up with every other celeb and did incredibly well.'

The insider added to The Sun: 'They all think he would be the perfect partner for Emma. He has been announced as one of the returning professional dancers but that doesn't mean bosses aren't going to promote him.'

Last week, frontrunner broke the news that she had lost out on the job, admitting that she is 'working through the seven stages of grief and rejection'.

Such candour from celeb candidates is rare and proves the lustre of the role. But according to insiders, bosses are now pinning all their hopes on one woman.

A producer who worked on a reality show with Emma, 50, a few years ago has insisted: 'If anyone can turn things around for Strictly, it's her.

'There's something she has on screen, a mix of vulnerability and confidence, that everyone just falls in love with.'