BBC Strictly fans fume rumoured new male presenter will 'RUIN' show as Emma Willis co-host 'confirmed'

No stranger to the show, Mr Widdicombe appeared on the 2024 Christmas Special dressed as a penguin, where he danced alongside professional Karen Hauer, who won't be returning for the upcoming series.

Mr Widdicombe would become the first male to front the programme since Bruce Forsyth, which could prove some big shoes to fill.

Sir Bruce, who died in 2017, starred alongside Tess Daly until his retirement in 2013, when Claudia Winkleman then took over.

No stranger to TV, Mr Widdicombe has appeared as a co-host on Channel 4's The Last Leg alongside Alex Brooker and Adam Hills since 2012.

According to sources speaking to the Daily Mail, bosses are hoping the comedian will serve as a replacement for Ms Winkleman's comedic energy and help put contestants at ease, while Ms Willis will steer the show.

The Mail's reports come days after a source told The Sun earlier this week: "Josh blew the producers away with his deadpan, witty banter.

"He is family-friendly, having helmed several shows now, and loves Strictly."

They added to the publication: "The bosses believe he will be ideal to take the show into a new era. After years as a stand-up, he can handle a live audience and is razor-sharp.

"He’s not a household name yet, and so to step into Brucie’s shoes would be a stellar move for his career."

The BBC has consistently told outlets: "Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course."

Mr Widdicombe is set to join Ms Willis, who was "confirmed" as the new host last week after emerging as the frontrunner during a cutthroat audition process.

The popular presenter is thought to have impressed during the Strictly chemistry tests, with the BBC seeing her as a "safe pair of hands".

Ms Willis is yet to speak publicly about the reports. However, another of her rumoured co-hosts, Zoe Ball, did speak out to confirm she did not get the part.

After the reports of Mr Widdicombe bagging the role on Strictly emerged, fans soon flocked to social media to share their thoughts, and it's safe to say the response was far from unanimously harmonious.

Reacting to a popular TV fan account on X, one social media user fumed: "Ruined! Adore Johannes and Emma, but Emma shines with @Rylan. I didn’t watch last year…don’t think I’ll be back."

"An insult to the many genuinely talented British celebrities/presenters with media experience to appoint this irksome big girl's blouse," a second hit out, while a third said: "I like Josh, but he can’t present. He’s fine in Last Leg as a side pundit….He’s tried filling for Adam Hills…..Terrible!"

"Sorry I love Josh a lot but hosting Strictly is the wrong move," a fourth echoed, while a fifth weighed in: "The BBC really want to kill this show off huh?"

And a sixth brutally penned: "F**k me! Josh Widdicombe???? Ridiculous choice." (sic)

But it wasn't all bad, as some fans admitted they were optimistic. "Huge news. This might be exactly what the show needs after Tess and Claudia," one fan argued.

And a second added: "Not two presenters I would pair together, so I assume they must have had a really good chemistry test and hit it off together. Intrigued to see how they would work together if true. Also, Josh has strong TV experience from The Last Leg #Strictly." (sic)

The Beeb may be remaining tight-lipped on the new presenting line-up, but it has recently given an insight into what fans can expect for the 24th series of the programme.

The likes of 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, Aljaž Škorjanec, 36, Alexis Warr, 25, and Kai, 30, will be returning to the dance floor this year.

They will be joined by some new professional dancers who are yet to be announced.

Ms Hauer, 43, Gorka Marquez, 35, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, and Luba Mushtuk, 36, were all given the boot.

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