Josh Widdicombe is confirmed as Strictly host as comedian joins new line up alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe

Josh Widdicombe has been confirmed as Strictly’s new presenter, as he joins the cast alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe, a source revealed to The Daily Mail.

Last week the 43-year-old comedian emerged as the shock favorite to host the BBC dance show after impressing bosses.

No stranger to the show, Josh appeared dressed as a penguin in the 2024 Christmas Special, where he danced alongside pro Karen Hauer, who will not be returning for the upcoming series.

Josh becomes the first man to join the program since Bruce Forsyth, proving that a huge void can be filled.

Sir Bruce, who died in 2017, starred opposite Tess Daly until his retirement in 2013 and Claudia Winkleman took over.

No stranger to TV, Josh has co-hosted The Last Leg alongside Alex Brooker and Adam Hills since 2012.

Josh will join Emma Willis, who was ‘announced’ as the new presenter last week after being placed ahead of a grueling audition process

Bosses will be hoping Josh will replace Claudia’s comedic energy and help put the contestants at ease, while Emma will drive the show.

He told the BBC Daily Mail: ‘Strictly Come Dancing Plans for 2026 will be confirmed in due course.’

A source said earlier this week: ‘Josh stunned producers with his deadpan and witty jokes. He is a family friend, currently directs several shows and Definitely.’

They added Sun: ‘Bosses believe he would be ideal to take the show into a new era. After years of doing stand-up he can handle a live audience and is extremely sharp.

‘He’s not a household name yet, so replacing Brucie would be an excellent move for his career.’

Josh will join Emma Willis, who was announced as the new host last week is at the forefront of a fierce selection process.

The popular presenter is thought to have been affected during the Strictly chemistry tests; The BBC considers him a “safe pair of hands”.

A source said on Monday night: ‘Emma has been offered the Strictly job and will take it. He absolutely aced his chemistry tests and the BBC adored him.

‘Emma is a household name and they are a trustworthy couple, so the BBC knows she will do her job properly.

‘He is also incredibly popular with the public and would suit this role very well. ‘He was absolutely thrilled when he was offered the job.’

Meanwhile, Johannes is reportedly set to join Emma and Josh as hosts of the new series.

The 39-year-old South African-born dancer and choreographer has been appearing professionally on the show since 2018, but a new report claims he could present this year.

A source said: ‘Everyone auditioning, including the celebrities, says it will be left to JoJo.

Meanwhile, Johannes Radebe is reportedly set to join Emma and Josh as hosts of the new series

‘During the chemistry tests she was paired with all the other celebrities and did incredibly well.’

Added an insider Sun: ‘They all think he would be the perfect partner for Emma. ‘She has been announced as one of the returning professional dancers, but that doesn’t mean bosses won’t promote her.’

Last week frontrunner Zoe Ball broke the news that she had lost her job and admitted she was ‘working through the seven stages of grief and rejection’.

It’s rare for celebrity candidates to be this open and proves the brilliance of the role. However, according to insider information, bosses are now pinning all their hopes on a single woman.

A producer who worked with Emma, ​​50, on a reality show a few years ago insisted: ‘If anyone can turn things around for Strictly it’s him.’

‘There’s something on screen for everyone to fall in love with; A mixture of vulnerability and self-confidence.’

It is thought that Emma was impressed by the chemistry tests and auditions in recent weeks.

She is well-versed in Saturday night television and increased viewing figures on The Voice UK by two million when she took over from Holly Willoughby in 2014.

He has also honed his live presenting skills with stand-in roles on reality television juggernaut Big Brother and This Morning.

After weeks of speculation and a number of big names turning down the job, nine shortlisted stars were summoned to a top-secret location in London to tackle full-scale dress rehearsals with a panel of judges and a live band in a bid to get the troubled show back on track.

BBC bosses held secret auditions and chemistry tests with celebrities and forced stars to sign strict confidentiality agreements to keep auditions secret.

A source told The Sun last month: ‘This isn’t just about automatic reading. They will look at how people work together and humor is a big part of that. There’s everything to play with.’

The few people called for the final test have been closely monitored and bosses hope to make a decision soon.

Among those confirmed to appear at the callbacks were Rylan, Emma, ​​Tom Allen and One Show host Alex Jones.

A source said: ‘They really want to bring the fun this year. It’s all about the chemistry that clicks instantly and can keep the energy live.

‘They can stick to two female presenters because it works wonderfully. But they are also open to mixing.

‘If Rylan and Tom Allen are compatible, this could be a hilarious pairing. Likewise, they might even introduce a third presenter to shake things up.’

The Beeb recently gave a glimpse of what fans can expect from the 24th series of the hit show.

Dianne Buswell, 37, Nancy Xu, 34, Vito Coppola, 33, Julian Caillon, 30, Carlos Gu, 33, Lauren Oakley, 35, Amy Dowden, 35, Katya Jones, 36, Neil Jones, 44, Nikita Kuzmin, 28, Jowita Przystał, 31, Johannes Radebe, 39, 36-year-old Aljaž Škorjanec, 25-year-old Alexis Warr and 30-year-old Kai will return to the dance floor this year.

They will be joined by some new professional dancers who have not yet been announced.

43-year-old Karen Hauer, 35-year-old Gorka Marquez, 36-year-old Nadiya Bychkova, 30-year-old Michelle Tsiakkas and 36-year-old Luba Mushtuk took the podium.

Celebrities will be judged by Shirley Ballas, 65, Craig Revel Horwood, 61, Motsi Mabuse, 45, and Anton du Beke, 59.