Josh Widdicombe has revealed that a joke text message landed him a presenting role on Strictly Come Dancing.
The comedian and co-host of The Last Leg is one of three new presenters joining the BBC show, alongside Emma Willis and dancer Johannes Radebe.
He landed the role after a light-hearted message to executive producer Sarah James, whom he befriended while appearing on the show's 2024 Christmas special.
For all things Strictly, read our article here - Latest Strictly Come Dancing updates including start date, new hosts, lineup and more
Mr Widdicombe said: "Was I unconsciously putting my hat in the ring with this text that was perhaps my greatest-ever career move?
"I think that is something I will be dealing with with a therapist for the next 20 years."
The text, which read "All right, I'll take the job," was sent after he heard the team was searching for new hosts to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
He initially thought he had misjudged the moment when he didn’t receive an immediate reply but later learned he was seriously being considered for the role.
Mr Widdicombe was living in Exeter at the time, having recently relocated from London with his wife and two children.
He said: "We’d just moved from London to Exeter, the kids were happy in their school – do I really want to even engage with ripping my life up and doing this mad thing?
"Of course I do."
He described his first meeting with Strictly producers as feeling "like being in a John le Carre novel" and said he was told to have a cover story ready for his audition in case of leaks.
Despite initial nerves, Mr Widdicombe said he felt instantly at ease when paired with his new co-hosts.
He said: "I thought I was rubbish.
"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."
The trio recently filmed the launch show, and Mr Widdicombe said the experience felt "joyful."
He said: "Then we did the launch show, and I was like: 'Oh no, we’re good at this, this is fun.'
"I am confident in this.
"I am not a rubbish comedian, I know that.
"On the launch night the joy in the room was insane.
"It’s one of the least cynical places I have ever been.
"I think people overly focus on this weird negative sideshow that is adjacent to Strictly, and I just go, 'I am not going to be a part of that.'"
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