{"id":785370,"date":"2026-09-28T15:02:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T15:02:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/785370\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T15:02:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T15:02:21","slug":"bbc-presenter-urges-strictly-fans-to-be-kind-after-cruel-josh-widdicombe-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/785370\/","title":{"rendered":"BBC presenter urges Strictly fans to ‘be kind’ after cruel Josh Widdicombe backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"TX
\n\t\tJosh Widdicombe\u2019s Strictly Come Dancing role has been defended after fierce backlash (Picture: BBC\/Guy Levy)<\/p>\n

Josh Widdicombe <\/a>has been defended by a string of celebrities after mounting scrutiny over his new hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The comedian, 43, has been met with cruel backlash<\/a> as he finds his feet in the coveted presenter role alongside Emma Willis<\/a>, 50, and Johannes Radebe<\/a>, 39.<\/p>\n

The Last Leg star has been harshly labelled everything from a \u2018spare part\u2019 to \u2018utterly useless\u2019 in horrible online comments after the BBC<\/a> dancing competition\u2019s first live episode this weekend.<\/a><\/p>\n

But Josh has the support of fellow presenters and TV stars, who have rushed in to defend him by questioning why he\u2019s been getting such a hard time.<\/p>\n

BBC DJ and presenter Ed James, 50, took to social media<\/a> to urge Strictly Come Dancing viewers to \u2018be a little kinder\u2019, adding: \u2018He\u2019s a great presenter, doing a massive job and was bound to have been bloody nervous.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Ed wrote: \u2018It\u2019s a TV show?! If you didn\u2019t like him, switch off! Why feel the need to go online and give him a harsh time?<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\t\u2018If you didn\u2019t like him, switch off,\u2019 presenter Ed James told his followers (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Strictly
\n\t\tJosh was announced as one of the new Strictly hosts, alongside Emma and Johannes, back in May (Picture: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

\u2018Not sure how going online and having a go at him helps anyone\u2026 least of all Josh who\u2019s just trying to do the best job he can on one of the biggest platforms in the UK.<\/p>\n

\u2018Can we be a little kinder?<\/p>\n

He added: \u2018And if you are tempted to open up social media and join the pile on\u2026 Go to the gym, have a glass of wine, spend some time outside and hopefully realise this really isn\u2019t something to get all worked up about!\u2019<\/p>\n

The post has been backed by a number of celebs, including presenter Gabby Logan, who commented a raising hands emoji.<\/p>\n

Katie Piper<\/a>, Tamzin Outhwaite, and Denise Lewis have also commented on the post, sharing their support for Josh.<\/p>\n

The Mock the Week star previously revealed that he felt nervous when he was first offered the role alongside Emma and Johannes, but was put at ease the moment they first came together.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tThe comedian previously revealed his nerves over the new role (Picture: Ken McKay\/ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"TX
\n\t\tJosh said he was \u2018at ease\u2019 from the moment he met Emma and Johannes (Picture: BBC\/Ray Burmiston)<\/p>\n

\u2018I thought I was rubbish,\u2019 he explained to The Times.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018Everything I said felt false. I didn\u2019t know where to put my hands [But after being paired with Emma and Johannes] from the moment we met, everyone was on the same wavelength, everyone was laughing.\u2019<\/p>\n

He added: \u2018Then we did the launch show, and I was like: \u201cOh no, we\u2019re good at this, this is fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018I am confident in this. I am not a rubbish comedian, I know that. On the launch night the joy was insane. It\u2019s one of the least cynical places I have ever been.<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Sara Cox\u2019s \u2018quick-witted\u2019 replacement on BBC Radio 2 revealed<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Strictly\u2019s Shirley Ballas, 66, warned away from love interest, 36: \u2018Don\u2019t take my man\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Celebrity Traitors stops filming after star becomes \u2018visibly stressed while shooting\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n


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