Comedian Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and former Strictly professional dancer, Johannes Radebe, have big shoes to fill in following the departed Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman13:18, 20 May 2026After weeks of rumours over who would succeed Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman in presenting Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC finally put fans' minds at rest yesterday evening (May 19). In an Instagram post, the Beeb officially announced that Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe would be taking over hosting duties, with former Strictly pro and fan favourite Johannes Radebe also part of the new lineup.‌Comedian Josh's appointment came as somewhat of a surprise to many viewers as he prepares to trade his sensible trainers for patent ballroom shoes for series 24, which kicks off in September. The 43-year-old isn't what usually springs to mind when you think of glitter, fake tan and rhinestones, but there's a clever reason behind his booking.‌Indeed, a scroll through his Instagram account reveals a refreshing, unfiltered look into the life of a man who is sure to bring laughter to our screens. Far more comfortable in a retro Plymouth Argyle football shirt than a ballroom tuxedo, it represents a big transition from stand-up stage to appearing before a live audience of eight million viewers at home.‌So here's what life is really like for the comedian stepping into the prime-time spotlight.'Parenting Hell' podcast fameContent cannot be displayed without consentA glance at Josh's Instagram grid highlights a recurring co-star in the form of fellow comedian, Rob Beckett.‌The pair inadvertently struck gold with the success of their podcast, Parenting Hell, while Josh's Instagram account heavily documents their journey from complaining about sleep deprivation over Zoom to selling out the O2 Arena.Like the podcast, his posts hilariously capture the reality of modern parenting as he balances fame with raising young children. And whether it's sharing clips of their banter or taking backstage selfies with Rob, Josh champions the tired parents of the UK.Josh has shown has can have great rapport with co-hosts like Rob, so we hope to see similar chemistry when he steps up to Strictly.‌90s nostalgiaContent cannot be displayed without consentJosh has established himself as the king of niche 1990s nostalgia on social media – with posts dedicated to obscure 90s Premier League footballers, vintage Panini stickers and retro football kits.Away from sport, Josh also regularly shares throwbacks to classic 90s television and mundane childhood memories - subjects that helped make his book, Watching Neighbours Twice a Day, a Sunday Times bestseller.‌Looking back can make us feel warm and fuzzy inside, just like Strictly does. So let's hope Josh can bring these same cosy vibes to the BBC programme.Busy lifeDespite claiming he prefers a quiet night in, Josh’s Instagram page also shows a relentless work ethic. Between tour posters and crowd shots from his stand-up shows, his 562,000 followers get a glimpse into his life on the road.He also regularly shares behind-the-scenes glimpses from Channel 4's The Last Leg, alongside pals Adam Hills and Alex Brooker.‌Their camaraderie and the unscripted chaos of live television have clearly proven to be the perfect training ground for handling Strictly's unpredictable live energy format.Final verdictScrolling through Josh's Instagram feed is like looking at the perfect CV for Strictly. The comedian isn't trying to be a glossy showbiz enigma; he's a typical dad who's bound to resonate with viewers across the country.He might be trading his fleece for a suit on Saturday nights, but he's got enough live TV and comedy experience to survive the glare of the bright ballroom lights.Article continues belowJosh seems equally as excited to get started. He said of his Strictly role: "Dancing the Charleston dressed as a penguin for the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly remains my career high point, so I am giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television. I adore Emma and Jojo and can’t wait to spend my weekends with them. I’ll dust off the penguin costume."