BBC presenter urges Strictly fans to ‘be kind’ after cruel Josh Widdicombe backlash

Josh Widdicombe’s Strictly Come Dancing role has been defended after fierce backlash (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy) Josh Widdicombe has responded after a string of celebrities defended him from the growing scrutiny over his new hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing.

The comedian, 43, has faced cruel backlash as he finds his feet in the coveted presenter role alongside Emma Willis, 50, and Johannes Radebe, 39.

The Last Leg star has been harshly labelled everything from a ‘spare part’ to ‘utterly useless’ in horrible online comments after the BBC dancing competition’s first live episode this weekend.

Yesterday Josh was supported by fellow presenters and TV stars, who rushed in to defend him by questioning why he’s been getting such a hard time.

Perhaps most notably, Strictly Come Dancing professional Lauren Oakley leapt to his defence, sharing a story on Instagram that read: ‘We couldn’t be in safer hands than with these beautiful people.

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‘Strictly is about family, uplifting others, and creating a safe space for celebrity contestants to be vulnerable and do something so outside of their comfort zone.

‘This trio have been so warm and welcoming, and they felt like family from the minute they stepped into the studio, and we LOVE having them with us.

‘Professional, funny, kind and fantastic at what they do. I couldn’t feel more lucky to be sharing the screen and our Saturday nights with them!’

Since then, Josh has also responded to the story, reposting it on his Instagram stories along with three love hearts.

BBC DJ and presenter Ed James, 50, also took to social media to urge Strictly Come Dancing viewers to ‘be a little kinder’, adding: ‘He’s a great presenter, doing a massive job and was bound to have been bloody nervous.’

Ed wrote: ‘It’s a TV show?! If you didn’t like him, switch off! Why feel the need to go online and give him a harsh time?

‘Not sure how going online and having a go at him helps anyone… least of all Josh who’s just trying to do the best job he can on one of the biggest platforms in the UK.‘Can we be a little kinder?He added: ‘And if you are tempted to open up social media and join the pile-on… Go to the gym, have a glass of wine, spend some time outside and hopefully realise this really isn’t something to get all worked up about!’

The post has been backed by a number of celebs, including presenter Gabby Logan, who commented a raising hands emoji.

Katie Piper, Tamzin Outhwaite, and Denise Lewis have also commented on the post, sharing their support for Josh.

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.

‘I thought I was rubbish,’ he explained to The Times.

‘Everything I said felt false. I didn’t 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.’

He added: ‘Then we did the launch show, and I was like: “Oh no, we’re good at this, this is fun.”

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‘I am confident in this. I am not a rubbish comedian; I know that. On the launch night, the joy was insane. It’s one of the least cynical places I have ever been.

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