Strictly sends viewers wild as it reveals comedian is the FIRST to be confirmed for the festive special as the funnyman jokes he’s about to ‘ruin Christmas’

Josh Widdicombe has been announced as the first celebrity to have been confirmed for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.

The comedian, 41, is one of six famous faces who will be taking to the dancefloor for the festive edition of the BBC competition and joked that he may be ‘about to ruin’ Christmas for everyone with his participation. 

It was announced on Strictly: It Takes Two that he will be paired with professional dancer Karen Hauer, who appeared in the current series with her partner Paul Merson before they were eliminated during week five.

Speaking about the announcement on Monday, Josh said: ‘I am utterly terrified this will end in humiliation and worried I’m going to be so bad I will ruin Christmas for the nation. Why have I done this?’

Fans of Strictly and Josh alike went wild for the news, taking to X shortly after the announcement to share their delight he would be taking part. 

The comedian, 41, is one of six famous faces who will be taking to the dancefloor for the festive edition of the BBC competition and joked that he may be ‘about to ruin’ Christmas for everyone with his participation (pictured Christmas special 2023)

They said: ‘Josh Widdicombe Strictly oh I’ve PRAYED for days like these’; ‘Oh my god Josh Widdicome is doing Christmas Strictly this is huge’; ‘Josh Widdicombe is going to be on the Christmas Special of Strictly oh my god’;

‘Josh Widdicome on the Strictly Special with Karen!! We looove to see it’; ‘Josh Widdicombe is going to be on the Christmas Special of Strictly oh my god’. 

Over the course of his career, Josh has become known for hosting The Last Leg alongside Alex Brooker and Adam Hills for Channel 4 and has also appeared on the likes of A League Of Their Own, Have I Got News For You and Taskmaster. 

Josh is currently best known for his popular parenting podcast, Parenting Hell, which he hosts alongside fellow funnyman Rob Beckett.

Josh and Rob release episodes twice a week and typically one of the episodes will include a celebrity parent who they interview for the show.

The pre-recorded episode – which airs on December 25 – will see each of the couples perform a festive-themed routine in the hope of impressing the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas, as well as the voting studio audience. 

The remaining Christmas lineup will be announced on Strictly: It Takes Two in due course. 

Last year, celebrities such as television presenter Dan Snow, Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan and BBC Breakfast host Sally Nugent all competed for the festive version of the Glitterball Troph.

Fans of Strictly and Josh alike went wild for the news, taking to X shortly after the announcement to share their delight he would be taking part.

In the end, it was EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick and his professional partner Nancy Xu who reigned supreme during last year’s special

In the end, it was EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick and his professional partner Nancy Xu who reigned supreme. 

The soap star is currently competing in the regular edition of this year’s Strictly, where he is dancing alongside professional Michelle Tsiakkas. 

The news about Josh taking part on Strictly comes weeks after it was revealed he had also signed up for Celebrity Gogglebox.

Josh sat down with his friend and fellow comedian Stephen Merchant, who co-wrote the The Office with Ricky Gervais.

Stephen, 49, who has since starred in blockbusters Logan and Jojo Rabit alongside Scarlett Johansson has said he isn’t usually much of a talker in front of the TV but was excited to sit down with Josh.

The news about Josh taking part on Strictly comes weeks after it was revealed he had also signed up for Celebrity Gogglebox 

Josh, who is a regular face on the stand-up circuit and has starred on a number of panel shows including QI and Taskmaster said: ‘The does fantastic work, raising for life-saving research, and it’s a privilege to be involved’

He said: ‘I don’t usually allow talking when the TV is on, because I know how much hard work goes into making shows, so I try to give them my full attention.

‘But I’m happy to break my own rule for Stand Up to Cancer and join the Gogglebox special this year with my pal Josh Widdicombe.’

Josh, who is a regular face on the stand-up circuit and has starred on a number of panel, said: ‘The does fantastic work, raising for life-saving research, and it’s a privilege to be involved.

‘Stand Up to Cancer is an incredible cause so I am honoured to be involved. I love Stephen and particularly like working with him when we are sitting down so I don’t look like a hobbit next to him.’

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.