STRICTLY VIEWERS CALL FOR JOSH WIDDICOMBE TO BE REPLACED AFTER AWKWARD LIVE TV BLUNDER

Strictly Come Dancing viewers have taken to social media to criticise new presenter Josh Widdicombe following an awkward moment during the BBC show’s first live episode, with some calling for him to be replaced.

Widdicombe joined Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as part of Strictly’s revamped presenting team for the 2026 series, following the departures of long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

The new trio officially took over the main presenting duties this year, marking a major change for one of the BBC’s longest-running entertainment programmes.

AWKWARD MOMENT LEAVES VIEWERS TALKING

During the first live show, Widdicombe appeared to miss a cue, resulting in an uncomfortable pause before he began speaking.

The moment quickly attracted attention online, with some viewers questioning his performance and suggesting that he was struggling to settle into the demanding role of live television presenter.

Some fans went further and called for Ellie Taylor, who presents the BBC Two spin-off It Takes Two, to replace him.

Taylor had made an appearance on the main programme to promote the spin-off, and some viewers praised her confident presentation style in comparison with what they saw as Widdicombe’s more hesitant performance.

However, the calls came from individual viewers on social media and there has been no announcement from the BBC that Widdicombe is being removed from Strictly.

AUTOCUE MOMENT ALSO SPARKED REACTION

The criticism follows an earlier moment from the show’s launch episode when viewers noticed Widdicombe apparently mouthing along to lines being delivered by Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe.

Some viewers described the habit as awkward, while others questioned whether the comedian was comfortable with the autocue and the demands of his new role.

The reaction was mixed, however, and some viewers defended the presenter, suggesting that he simply needed time to become accustomed to the new format and the pressures of live television.

JOSH HAD ALREADY ADMITTED HE WAS NERVOUS

Widdicombe has openly acknowledged the pressure surrounding his move into the Strictly presenting team.

Before the first live show, he described the experience as “terrifying”, reflecting the unpredictability of presenting a major Saturday-night programme live.

After his debut, he also spoke positively about the experience on his Parenting Hell podcast, saying that he had enjoyed working with Willis and Radebe.

He thanked people for their support and described his fellow presenters as a joy to work with.

THE NEW STRICTLY ERA

The 2026 series represents one of the biggest changes to Strictly’s presenting line-up in years.

Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe replaced Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down after years at the centre of the programme.

The new arrangement has generated a wide range of reactions from viewers, with some embracing the fresh line-up while others have found the transition difficult.

The first live episode attracted a peak audience of around 5 million viewers, with an average of 4.8 million, according to figures reported after the broadcast.

The programme has continued with the three presenters despite the criticism directed at Widdicombe.

MORE SCRUTINY AHEAD

The backlash places additional attention on Widdicombe as the series continues, particularly because live television leaves little room to recover from mistakes.

For now, however, the online reaction remains just that — viewer reaction.

There has been no confirmed decision from the BBC to replace Widdicombe, and he remains part of the 2026 Strictly presenting team.

As the series moves forward, viewers will have more opportunities to see whether the new presenting trio settles into a rhythm and whether the early criticism continues or fades as the competition progresses.