Josh Widdicombe pays heartfelt tribute to BBC Strictly partner Karen Hauer ahead of Christmas Special
Josh Widdicombe has delved into his stint on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special ahead of its broadcast on Christmas Day.
Alongside fellow stars Tayce, Billy Monger, Tamzin Outhwaite, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Vogue Williams, Widdicombe will be hoping he has what it takes to impress the judging panel.
For the festive edition of the show, Widdicombe has been partnered with Karen Hauer following her early exit from the flagship series with Paul Merson.
Upon his unveiling as the first star signed up for the Christmas special back in November, the comedian 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?”
But speaking to the BBC ahead of the special, it seems Widdicombe has warmed to the idea – and it’s in no small part down to Hauer.
Widdicombe had a simple reason for signing up to star in the festive edition of the Saturday night staple.
“My daughter,” he revealed before quipping: “And my dreams of being Billy Elliot.”
When asked by the BBC how excited he was to be paired with Hauer, Widdicombe was full of admiration for the pro dancer.
Paying tribute to Hauer, Widdicombe said: “Delighted, she’s a legend of the show and everyone I tell says ‘oh she’s the absolute best’.
“Not sure how happy she is to get me though,” he joked.
It wasn’t just Hauer who gave the comedian words of advice ahead of his stint on the dancefloor either.
Widdicombe was able to call upon comics who’d competed in Strictly series in years gone by, including Chris Ramsey.
“Chris told me the best thing is you can eat what you like and still get fitter,” Widdicombe revealed, before revealing this year’s champion inadvertently snubbed him.
Widdicombe said: “Chris McCausland was too busy being the nation’s sweetheart to return my calls.”
The Last Leg star also joked that he’d asked Santa for a 10 from typically stern judge Craig Revel Horwood for Christmas, but what is the judge expecting from the cast of the Christmas special?
Revel Horwood had a one-word response when asked what would make him lift his 10 paddle in the festive special: “Perfection.”
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The long-serving Strictly star also branded this year’s line-up as “a fun and vibrant cast”.
Fans will be able to see how Widdicombe gets on alongside Hauer from 3:55pm when the Christmas special airs on BBC One.