Is Strictly Come Dancing's Josh Widdicombe related to Anne Widdecombe and Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer?
All eyes are on Josh at the momentJosh Widdicome is currently one of the most talked about TV presenters in the UK – but is he related to Ann Widdecombe or Charles Spencer?
On Saturday night, Josh shrugged off the nerves and co-hosted his first Strictly Come Dancing live show for the BBC.
Josh is one of three new presenters brought in following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
He is fronting the huge flagship show alongside Emma Willis and former Strictly pro, Johannes Radebe.
But alongside chatter about Josh’s performance on camera, viewers online seem very keen to know about his family connections.
Is Josh Widdicombe related to Ann Widdecombe?
The clue here is in the spelling, because Josh and the late Ann Widdcombe’s surnames are spelt differently.
Former MP Ann Widdecombe has an ‘e’ in the middle of her surname, while Josh has an ‘i’ in the middle of his.
Ann tragically died in July this year. She was murdered in her own home age 78. Joshua Kerry has been charged with Ann’s murder and is currently awaiting trial. He denies murdering her.
Josh has spoken several times over the years about Ann, namely whether they are related.
In 2016, he was asked in a web chat with the Guardian: “Are you related to Ann Widdecombe?” Josh replied: “You’ve spelled it differently to my name in the question.”
Ann had previous taken part in Strictly Come Dancing. She appeared in the 2010 series and was partnered with Anton Du Beke.
In May this year, Anton and fellow Strictly judge, Craig Revel Horwood appeared on Greatest Hits Radio. It came five months after Josh had competed – dressed as a penguin – in the Strictly Christmas special.
With Josh’s name already announced for a presenting role, DJ Kate Thornton said: “He can’t dance – we saw that on the Christmas special.”
Anton shot back: “No, he did very well as a penguin.” Craig mused: “Just like his mother, Ann.” Anton then chuckled: “Just like Auntie Ann. She was tremendous.”
Kate joked: ‘You have got so much to tell Josh about his mum when he starts the show!”
Greatest Hits Radio posted a clip of the interview on Facebook. The caption clarified: “Ann isn’t ACTUALLY Josh Widdicombe’s aunt.”
Is Josh Widdicome related to Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer?
Josh may not be related to the late Ann Widdecombe. But there appears to be a very loose ancestral connection to the late Princess Diana and her brother, Charles, 9th Earl Spencer.
In 2021, Josh appeared on an episode of BBC One’s Who Do You Think You Are?. The show looks at the genealogy of a celebrity and traces back their family tree.
It was discovered in Josh’s episode that the Widdicombes are connected by marriage to the banking family, the Baring-Goulds. Josh even visited the manor house that was once home to the Baring-Gould family.
Genealogy experts immediately began examining his family tree in further depth once the episode had ended. It’s since been claimed that Josh’s Baring ancestry links back to Francis Baring. He was an ancestor of Diana and Charles Spencer.
One genealogist claims Josh would be Diana and Spencer’s sixth cousin once removed.
Princess Diane tragically died in 1997 following a car accident in Paris. Her brother, meanwhile, has been in the headlines this past week.
The spotlight on Charles comes following the controversial release of his book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.
Josh has never confirmed the link himself, and neither has Charles. But his family tree definitely has highbrow links!
Read more: This Morning star Sian Welby reveals her ‘tears’ over intense process for Strictly hosting job
