Strictly fans demand line-up change as Josh Widdicombe savaged for second week

Josh Widdicombe has been blasted by Strictly Come Dancing viewers once again after returning to screens for the second live show of the series on Saturday night.

The comedian is part of Strictly's new presenting line-up alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe, who took over hosting duties this year following the departure of long-serving presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Several viewers took to X to criticise his performance, with some even calling for him to be axed.

One wrote: "The Strictly audience is so quiet and miserable watching Josh Widdicombe. It’s like the ballroom has turned into a funeral procession. And Josh's humour is as wooden as the coffin lid..."

A second posted: "Oh Strictly, you have lost me. I gave it a go but this is woefully bad, Josh Widdecome is an absolute embarrassment..."

Another added: "All of us watching the car crash that is Josh Widdicombe trying to present Strictly."

A fourth wrote: "@Strictly, is it just me ? Or is josh widdicombe a f***** awful presenter."

New hosts, Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe, during the recording for the first episode of Strictly

PA

However, not all viewers agreed with the criticism.

One supporter wrote: "Anyone who knows Josh Widdicombe from The Last Leg knows what a great quick-witted comedian he is when allowed to ad lib. Sadly his lines on #strictly are far too scripted and not doing him any favours."

The latest reaction echoes complaints seen after Widdicombe's debut on the first live show, when some viewers branded him a "spare part" and criticised the decision to use three presenters rather than the show's traditional two-host format.

The Sun reports that some fans had hoped producers would alter the presenting arrangements for the second live show following last week's backlash, with suggestions that Widdicombe and Radebe switch roles.

However, the programme ultimately retained the same format, with Willis and Widdicombe on the ballroom floor and Radebe remained on the balcony interviewing performers.

Elsewhere, some viewers observed what thought of as “tension” between Widdicombe and judge Motsi Mabuse, although Mabuse has spoken out to defend the comedian after criticism of his first appearance.

“I’m sensing a bit of tension from Motsi when Josh talks to her,” one user noted on X.

“Motsi is weirdly rude to Josh everytime she speaks?” another added.

Despite the ongoing debate over the new presenting team, Strictly remains one of the BBC's biggest entertainment shows. The first live episode of the series attracted a peak audience of five million viewers, according to figures previously released by the broadcaster.

Widdicombe has yet to publicly respond to the latest wave of criticism.