Josh Widdicombe has been named as one of three new hosts for the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, joining Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe in the role. Rather than a glitzy launch party, the comedian chose to celebrate the announcement by eating fish and chips in the rain with his wife Rose Hanson and their two children, Pearl (nine) and Cassius (five).

The Strictly hosting gig that replaces Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman

According to the announcement made on Tuesday, Widdicombe is stepping into a role vacated after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman departed the show last year. As the report notes, this is widely regarded as one of the most sought-after positions on British television—a platform that typically commands significant media attention and formal celebration. the hosting trio of Willis, Radebe, and Widdicombe represents a notable shift in the show's on-air presence, marking the end of a long era for Daly and Winkleman.

Why a takeaway dinner became the headline

Widdicombe's choice to announce his new role via an Instagram post showing him eating fish and chips in the rain with his family stands in stark contrast to how major television appointments are typically celebrated. The post, captioned "Celebrating in style (and in the rain)," signals a deliberate understatement—a tone that has become increasingly familiar in how some public figures mark career milestones. The image itself,rather than a formal statement or red-carpet moment,became the vehicle for sharing the news.

This low-key approach raises a question about what audiences expect from television personalities at moments of professional triumph. widdicombe's decision to keep the celebration domestic and informal—with family rather than industry figures—suggests either a personal preference for privacy or a calculated move to appear relatable during a period when the entertainment industry faces ongoing scrutiny about authenticity and connection with viewers .

What remains unclear about the hosting transition

The source reporting does not detail how the three new hosts will divide duties across episodes, whether the format of the show will change, or what the BBC's reasoning was for moving to a three-person hosting model. It is also unclear whether Widdicombe, Willis, and Radebe were announced simultaneously or in stages, and whether there was any public consultation or audience reaction to the appointments before the Tuesday announcement. The report focuses entirely on Widdicombe's personal response and does not include comment from the other two new hosts or from the BBC itself on the transition strategy.