Strictly star Will Best spotted 'secretly eyeing up Josh Widdicombe's hosting job' amid viewer backlash
Does Will want the Strictly gig?Will Best may have his eyes on Josh Widdicombe’s Strictly hosting role, a body language expert has claimed.
Judi James offered the reading after studying Will’s on-air interactions during the first live show. James made the comments in an analysis for Paddy Power.
The speculation arrives after Josh Widdicombe admitted feeling terrified before his first live show. During the programme, Josh also attempted a physical gag with Will following the contestant’s dance.
Judi James points to Will Best’s presenter gestures
Speaking to The Sun, James believes Will displayed several behaviours associated with his established work as a presenter. Will hosts Big Brother and is competing on Strictly with professional dancer Dianne Buswell.
She said: “Will seems to be suffering from FOMO: a fear of missing out on his job as a presenter. Dianne’s upright finger of authority during training appears used to keep him focused on her, but there are several signs to suggest that not only does he see himself in a presenter role but that he might secretly have his eyes on the spot currently taken by Josh.”
“As he took the judges’ feedback, Will put one hand out to place it on Emma’s shoulder as though he was the one working with her. He seemed to halt the gesture in mid-air, but it showed how close he naturally feels to that role at present. His non-verbal interruptions of the judges echoed this sense of being the presenter as he repeated ‘yeah yeah’ quickly to then say his own bit,” she then said.
Another exchange involved Josh approaching Will to straighten his vest and briefly placing his hands over his chest. James described Will as largely ignoring the gag while engaging with Emma and the judges.
James added: “He also looked straight into the camera later, which is really the move only a presenter would make.”
‘What could possibly go wrong?’
Josh shares duties with Emma and Johannes Radebe, while Will’s current role is as a celebrity contestant. Josh has faced a mixed response since joining Emma and Johannes as a new host.
He had already acknowledged the pressure before stepping onto the live floor. Speaking to the BBC, Josh asked: “What could possibly go wrong?”
He then said plenty could go wrong, but expected the experience to be enjoyable and surreal. Josh added that he hoped the nerves would continue because the role should feel excitingly daunting.
Read more: Emma Willis shares message to Strictly fans following backlash over new hosting trio
Strictly continues on Saturday (October 3) from 6.15pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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