Josh Widdicombe, one of the new presenters for Strictly Come Dancing, has shared insights into how he landed the role. Widdicombe, who will debut alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe in the show’s launch episode on Saturday (19 September), admitted he felt nervous during his initial audition. He described feeling "rubbish" and "false" as he performed tasks like interacting with judges Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke and reacting to clips of past dances as if they had just been performed. Despite his self-doubt, Widdicombe was surprised when he was invited back for a chemistry read with Willis and Radebe, where it became clear the trio would work well together. The new presenting team was officially announced by the BBC in May, nearly five months after longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left the show. To keep the casting process confidential, the BBC reportedly used a fictitious TV show as a cover story. This secrecy was confirmed by Willis, who shared that the team was chosen carefully to ensure a smooth transition for the popular dance competition. The launch episode will feature 15 celebrities who will meet their professional dance partners for the first time. Widdicombe addressed rumors that the recording of the show was chaotic, with retakes and audience members reportedly walking out. While he acknowledged there were retakes, he described the experience as "joyful" and much more relaxed compared to the long and often stressful recording sessions common in comedy panel shows. Contestant Will Best encouraged fans to "reserve judgment" until they see the new format of the show. He expressed confidence that the new presenters will "blow everyone away" with their chemistry and contributions, signaling optimism for the upcoming season.