AIBU to think the criticism of Josh Widdecombe has become yet another unedifying pile on

[LeachLeachDoDooDooDooDoo]

Josh Widdecombe isn’t great on Strictly but I’m not sure he warrants the massive pile on it’s become. Half the problem is the odd arrangement of presenters, not Josh himself. It seems like another ridiculous social media fuelled bandwagon. Or am I being unreasonable?

I didn't know about the social media vitriol. I think Josh and Johannes were both better this week, and it'll only improve. Johannes seemed much more natural and less scripted, and Josh more confident. Even though I did think that three presenters were unnecessary, good luck to them!

People are talking about the new presenters rather than the dancers.

I don't watch it, but I dislike the way new people aren't given the chance to learn. It is only week two!

He's doing fine and Jojo is improving rapidly.

Tess was wooden as hell and completely unable to respond to anything without an autocue and she had YEARS.

He was better tonight. Still trying a bit too hard. He’s a likeable chap and will settle into the role.

I would say that people who have routinely been watching the same show with the same format at the same time for the last 22 years possibly just don't like change.

I don’t think Josh is needed, and he’s trying too hard. Emma would be better on her own. And JoJo is not the right fit, maybe try Josh upstairs.

What about when Ronnie Corbett presented it with Brucie. He was only two foot six and nobody complained then.

The media are vultures out to get people. I really wish our society would be kinder and empathetic. It’s no wonder there are so many bullies out there!!
Good luck to Josh.

I adore josh but he does look a bit like a lost schoolboy.

Josh and Johannes both appear to not be natural presenters. It all seems a bit forced and uncomfortable. I stopped watching after 5 minutes though so not best placed to judge!

Josh upstairs, JoJo downstairs it’s so obvious I’d always assumed that would be the format when they announced the 3 of them.

Ah okay... I thought this was about a dancer. (I only watched it once, a few years ago, because one of my friends who was in the RAF appeared on screen when a load of military people marched on.)

Friend in PR suggested lots of the anti-Josh stories are planted - so I would guess from one or more of the other presenters' camps? Reminds me a bit of the Blake Lively press battle with stories leaked by both sides to try to discredit the other...

I think they are all alright but Strictly is a bit dated! Can't believe it is still on TV. My final year of primary school niece loves it though 😅

And occasionally the actual dancing pairs are completely mismatched in terms of height.

I would prefer Josh upstairs. Then The Clauditorium could be renamed the Joshpit.

I'm a bit sick of not only unpleasant comments, but general comments that aren't always positive but innocuous receiving the usual

My granny always said if you can't say anything nice say nothing
BeKind
I'm sure he speaks highly of you
And I guess you could do better

People have lost the ability to have an intelligent debate.

I've enjoyed both shows for what it's worth.

Josh Widdecomb is presenting?

God, they are really scraping the barrel for presenters, aren’t they?

It’s a show for has-beens now.

A hologram of Brucie?

This is the first time I've ever seen Emma Willis in anything. I only heard her radio show on Radio 2 once and didn't really like it. I preferred Zoe Ball.

Emma seems competent.

Honestly, I thought this week was better, particularly watching the results show.

In my mind, it should be as follows

Emma = the Tess role

Josh = the Claudia role

JoJo = talking to the judges during the results show about why they marked it the way they did.

But I don't see a problem with Josh. He's decent. and seems a lovely guy, and doesn't deserve the flack that hes getting.

you don't have to watch it then do you?

I think the bottom line is that the show needs someone who’s a bit “game show”. That’s maybe because Bruce Forsyth presented it for so long, and there aren’t many around these days. The only ones who immediately spring to mind are Bradley Walsh and Ant and Dec. I also think Anton, as presenter, would have the right vibe. Alison Hammond isn’t game show but she’d also have the right kind of personality.

I’m sure Josh will find his feet, though. It’s a big job.

I disagree @LeachLeachDoDooDooDooDoo I think it's because Josh doesn't have a defined 'role' like the other two, so he feels like the spare part. And that's not fair to him. He seems boxed in by not being able to ad-lib. I think if he was upstairs with JoJo it might work a bit better?

This isn't so much a Josh problem as a producer problem. Next to Emma, even with this week's changes, Josh is like a fish out of water. He'd be much better doing the interviews. JoJo is a sweetheart and has potential, but at the moment he's too gushy and his technical knowledge is wasted.
There may be a role for all 3, but not as they are now and honestly, I think '2's company 3's a crowd and it's not their fault.