Claims extracted
20
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
5%
1 of 20 hedged
("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
not political
takes no side on a contested political question
Publisher signals
64/100
Evening Standard's corrections and
hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
1
Entertainment
Same framing elsewhere
1
articles that frame the event the way this one does
Josh Widdicombe has been blasted by Strictly Come Dancing viewers once again after returning to screens for the second live show of the series on Saturday night.
asserted
Widdicombe → blast → night
The comedian is part of Strictly's new presenting line-up alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe, who took over hosting duties this year following the departure of long-serving presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
asserted
who → take → presenters
Several viewers took to X to criticise his performance, with some even calling for him to be axed.
asserted
him → take → performance
One wrote: "The Strictly audience is so quiet and miserable watching Josh Widdicombe.
asserted
audience → write → Widdicombe
It’s like the ballroom has turned into a funeral procession.
asserted
ballroom → ’ → procession
A second posted: "Oh Strictly, you have lost me.
asserted
you → post → me
I gave it a go but this is woefully bad, Josh Widdecome is an absolute embarrassment..."
asserted
Widdecome → give → go
Another added: "All of us watching the car crash that is Josh Widdicombe trying to present Strictly."
asserted
Widdicombe → add → Strictly
A fourth wrote: "@Strictly, is it just me ? Or is josh widdicombe a f***** awful presenter."
asserted
widdicombe → write → ?
However, not all viewers agreed with the criticism.
asserted
viewers → agree → criticism
One supporter wrote: "Anyone who knows Josh Widdicombe from The Last Leg knows what a great quick-witted comedian he is when allowed to ad lib.
asserted
he → write → Leg
Sadly his lines on #strictly are far too scripted and not doing him any favours."
asserted
lines → script → favours
The latest reaction echoes complaints seen after Widdicombe's debut on the first live show, when some viewers branded him a "spare part" and criticised the decision to use three presenters rather than the show's traditional two-host format.
asserted
him → echo → presenters
The Sun reports that some fans had hoped producers would alter the presenting arrangements for the second live show following last week's backlash, with suggestions that Widdicombe and Radebe switch roles.
asserted
Widdicombe → report → roles
However, the programme ultimately retained the same format, with Willis and Widdicombe on the ballroom floor and Radebe remained on the balcony interviewing performers.
asserted
Radebe → retain → performers
Elsewhere, some viewers observed what thought of as “tension” between Widdicombe and judge Motsi Mabuse, although Mabuse has spoken out to defend the comedian after criticism of his first appearance.
asserted
Mabuse → observe → appearance
“I’m sensing a bit of tension from Motsi when Josh talks to her,” one user noted on X.
“Motsi is weirdly rude to Josh everytime she speaks?” another added.
asserted
another → sense → Josh
Despite the ongoing debate over the new presenting team, Strictly remains one of the BBC's biggest entertainment shows.
asserted
Strictly → remain → shows
The first live episode of the series attracted a peak audience of five million viewers, according to figures previously released by the broadcaster.
uncertain
episode → attract → broadcaster
Widdicombe has yet to publicly respond to the latest wave of criticism.
asserted
Widdicombe → have → criticism
The Aporia
