Josh Widdicombe

Widdicombe was born on 8 April 1983 in Hammersmith, London, but grew up in Haytor Vale, near Widecombe in the Moor on Dartmoor in Devon.{{cite web|url=https://otakukart.com/josh-widdicombe-wife-baby-all-about-the-widdicombe-family/|title=Josh Widdicombe Wife & Baby: All About the Widdicombe Family|last=Joseph|first=Nathan|date=2021-10-17|publisher=Otakukart|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085644/https://otakukart.com/josh-widdicombe-wife-baby-all-about-the-widdicombe-family/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.devonlive.com/news/comedian-josh-widdicombe-returns-devon-438701|title=Comedian Josh Widdicombe returns to his Devon school for fundraising gig|first=Caroline|last=Abbott|year=2017|work=DevonLive|publisher=Reach Plc|access-date=26 March 2019|archive-date=11 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011180210/https://www.devonlive.com/news/comedian-josh-widdicombe-returns-devon-438701|url-status=live}} He attended Ilsington Church of England Primary School{{cite web|url=https://exepose.com/2016/10/03/just-joshin/|title=Just Joshin' – An Interview with Josh Widdicombe|date=2016-10-03|publisher=Expose|last=Brown|first=Jeremy|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=21 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021120521/https://exepose.com/2016/10/03/just-joshin/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.devon.gov.uk/schools/school/ilsington-church-of-england-primary-school/|title=Ilsington Church Of England Primary School|date=n.d.|publisher=Devon County Council|access-date=2022-01-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922175709/https://www.devon.gov.uk/schools/school/ilsington-church-of-england-primary-school/|archive-date=2020-09-22}}{{cite web|url=https://www.middevonadvertiser.co.uk/news/truth-leeks-out-after-joshs-shock-vegetable-admission-267605|title=Truth leeks out after Josh's shock vegetable admission|date=19 February 2021|website=Mid-Devon Advertiser|access-date=16 March 2023|archive-date=16 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316202009/https://www.middevonadvertiser.co.uk/news/truth-leeks-out-after-joshs-shock-vegetable-admission-267605|url-status=live}}{{cite book |last=Widdicombe |first=Josh |title=Watching Neighbours Twice a Day...: How '90s TV (Almost) Prepared Me For Life |date=16 September 2021 |publisher=Kings Road Publishing |isbn=978-1-78870-437-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gAEmEAAAQBAJ&dq=Three+miles+down+the+road+my+school+Ilsington+Primary&pg=PT26 |language=en |access-date=2 December 2021 |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224231819/https://books.google.com/books?id=gAEmEAAAQBAJ&dq=Three+miles+down+the+road+my+school+Ilsington+Primary&pg=PT26 |url-status=live }} and South Dartmoor Community College, later studying sociology and linguistics at the University of Manchester.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/stage/stand-up-wasnt-a-calling-it-was-more-like-what-can-i-do-that-isnt-going-to-make-me-really-depressed-josh-widdico|title='Stand-up wasn't a calling. It was more like, 'What can I do that isn't going to make me really depressed?' Josh Widdicombe gets a leg up on the comedy circuit|last=Didcock|first=Barry|date=2013-03-08|publisher=Herald Scotland|access-date=31 December 2013|archive-date=2 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102013330/http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/stage/stand-up-wasnt-a-calling-it-was-more-like-what-can-i-do-that-isnt-going-to-make-me-really-depressed-josh-widdico|url-status=live}} After graduation, he moved to London to complete a master's degree in magazine journalism at City, University of London.{{cite news|title= Josh Widdicombe: 'I was basically like a young Alan Sugar' |author= Wintle, Angela |date= 5 December 2021 |newspaper= The Daily Telegraph |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/fame-fortune/josh-widdicombe-basically-like-young-alan-sugar/ |access-date= 19 April 2024 }}

Widdicombe began performing live in 2008 and made it to the final of the So You Think You're Funny? comedy tournament at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe during the same year.{{cite web|url=http://internationalcomedy.club/artists/josh-widdicombe/|title=Josh Widdicombe|date=n.d.|publisher=International Comedy Club|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085650/http://internationalcomedy.club/artists/josh-widdicombe/|url-status=live}} In 2009, he co-wrote and performed in the sketch show Superclump, and appeared with James Acaster and Nick Helm.{{cite web|url=http://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/event/10000535-acaster-helm-and-widdicombe-live-at-the-voodoo-bar/|url-status=dead|title=Acaster, Helm and Widdicombe - Live at the Voodoo Bar|publisher=Edingburgh Festival|access-date=8 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813065129/http://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/event/10000535-acaster-helm-and-widdicombe-live-at-the-voodoo-bar/|archive-date=2009-08-13}}

In 2010, Widdicombe worked as a contributor for the Dora the Explorer magazine,{{cite web|url=https://entertainment.ie/trending/interview-josh-widdicombe-talks-about-his-show-in-the-olympia-his-new-sitcom-and-dora-the-explorer-335493/|title=Interview: Josh Widdicombe talks about his show in the Olympia, his new sitcom and Dora the Explorer|date=2015|publisher=Entertainment.ie|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085644/https://entertainment.ie/trending/interview-josh-widdicombe-talks-about-his-show-in-the-olympia-his-new-sitcom-and-dora-the-explorer-335493/|url-status=live}}{{cite episode|title=Josh Widdicombe on writing 'Dora the Explorer' - The Graham Norton Show: Episode 3 - BBC One|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZrK-FRDm2M|access-date=2015-04-28|series=The Graham Norton Show|network=BBC1|date=2015-04-24|series-no=17|number=3|archive-date=7 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507075619/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZrK-FRDm2M|url-status=live}} and in 2011 he performed his debut solo show "If This Show Saves One Life..." at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and was subsequently nominated for Best Newcomer by the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-14650743|title=Edinburgh Comedy Awards shortlist announced|date=2011-08-24|work=BBC News|access-date=8 November 2015|archive-date=22 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222015845/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-14650743|url-status=live}} and for the Malcolm Hardee "Act Most Likely to Win a Million Quid" Award.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-14631265|date=2011-08-23|title=Cunning stunts up for Edinburgh Fringe award|work=BBC News|access-date=8 November 2015|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110064931/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-14631265|url-status=live}}

In 2012, Widdicombe became a regular on Stand Up for the Week. In July that year, he made his debut appearance on Mock the Week. He was also a main contributor to Channel 4's daily alternative review of each day's events at the London 2012 Summer Paralympics, The Last Leg with Adam Hills, alongside Adam and Alex Brooker.{{cite news|title=The Last Leg With Adam Hills and The Kindness Of Strangers: TV picks|website=Metro.co.uk|date=29 August 2012|url=https://metro.co.uk/2012/08/29/the-last-leg-with-adam-hills-and-the-kindness-of-strangers-tv-preview-561180/|access-date=16 March 2023|archive-date=9 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209094234/https://metro.co.uk/2012/08/29/the-last-leg-with-adam-hills-and-the-kindness-of-strangers-tv-preview-561180/|url-status=live}} He also appeared on The Last Leg of the Year, the show's end-of-year special. In September 2012, Widdicombe appeared on The Million Pound Drop with The Last Leg co-host Brooker. The pair won £100,000 for their selected charities.{{cite magazine|url=http://posabilitymagazine.co.uk/2012/09/14/million-pound-charity-drop-benefits-disability-charities/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019164854/http://posabilitymagazine.co.uk/2012/09/14/million-pound-charity-drop-benefits-disability-charities/|url-status=dead|title=Million Pound Charity Drop Benefits Disability Charities|magazine=PosAbility Magazine|archive-date=19 October 2013|access-date=7 June 2020}} His chosen charity was Scope. He has pectus excavatum, which he discovered after mentioning it to Christian Jessen on season 11, episode 10 of 8 Out of 10 Cats.{{Cite episode |series=8 Out of 10 Cats |series-link=8 Out of 10 Cats |network=Channel 4 |date=19 August 2011 |series-no=11 |number=10 |minutes=23 |time= |transcript= |transcript-url= |quote=Josh Widdicombe: "I've got an embarrassing body... I wanted to check with you. Now, I've got like a hole in my chest. Look, it just keeps going in. *unbuttons shirt* It's like a concaveness." Jimmy Carr: "Can I get the diagnosis, what is the matter with his..." Dr. Christian Jessen: "It's called Pectus Excavatum 'cause it's an excavated chest." |language=English}}

File:Josh_Widdicombe_Glastonbury_2013.jpg]]

In 2013, Widdicombe was again a regular on The Last Leg, after Channel 4 renewed the show for nine further episodes,{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/risking-laugh-and-limb-pays-off-20130220-2eq3f.html|title=Risking laugh and limb pays off|last=Kalina|first=Paul|date=2013-02-20|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=8 November 2015|archive-date=12 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212101156/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/risking-laugh-and-limb-pays-off-20130220-2eq3f.html|url-status=live}} beginning on 25 January 2013. A third series started on 31 July 2013, a fourth on 31 January 2014 and a fifth on 1 August 2014. In May 2013, Widdicombe was a guest on the second series of Dara Ó Briain: School of Hard Sums with Marcus Brigstocke.{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/dara_o_briain_school_hard_sums/episodes/2/2/|title=Series 2, Episode 2|date=n.d.|website=BritishComedy Guide|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085642/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/dara_o_briain_school_hard_sums/episodes/2/2/|url-status=live}} Following this, he featured as a comedian on The Apprentice spin-off show, The Apprentice: You're Fired!{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/mar/15/jack-dee-the-apprentice-youre-fired|title=Jack Dee fires himself from The Apprentice spin-off show|date=2016-03-15|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085647/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/mar/15/jack-dee-the-apprentice-youre-fired|url-status=live}} In June 2013, he again appeared as a panellist on Mock the Week, featuring on several episodes of the show's 12th series.{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/mock_the_week/episodes/12/|title=Mock the Week|date=n.d.|website=British Comedy Guide|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085647/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/mock_the_week/episodes/12/|url-status=live}}

In 2014, Widdicombe appeared again on Mock the Week{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0483ll9|title=Episode 3|website=BBC Programmes|access-date=2021-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085650/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0483ll9|url-status=live}} and on QI,{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/qi/episodes/16/13/|title=Series P, Episode 13 - Phenomena|date=n.d.|website=British Comedy Guide|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104094151/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/qi/episodes/16/13/|url-status=live}} and also made his debut on Have I Got News for You.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04sydf6|title=Episode 8|date=n.d.|website=BBC One Programes|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085647/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04sydf6|url-status=live}} Widdicombe won Celebrity Mastermind broadcast 31 December 2013 with a score of 24, on the specialist subject of his favourite band, Blur.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/live/2016/dec/02/josh-widdicombe-webchat-last-leg?page=with:block-5846bb7fe4b049350cc967d8|title=Josh Widdicombe webchat – your questions answered on politics, fans, and the best of Blur|date=2016-12-06|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085649/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/live/2016/dec/02/josh-widdicombe-webchat-last-leg?page=with:block-5846bb7fe4b049350cc967d8|url-status=live}} His chosen charity was The Lily Foundation.{{Cite web |last=Corbin |first=Tianna |date=2022-04-10 |title=Josh Widdicombe gives Tipping Point jackpot away |url=https://www.devonlive.com/news/celebs-tv/josh-widdicombe-give-20k-tipping-6933528 |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=Devon Live |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Josh Widdicombe gives £20,000 Tipping Point jackpot to The Lily Foundation |url=http://www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk/news/josh-widdicombe-gives-20000-tipping-point-jackpot-lily-foundation/ |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk |language=en}}

On 1 July 2014, the BBC announced Widdicombe would be joining its Radio 5 Live team from August 2014 as the new host of Fighting Talk along with Georgie Thompson. Both hosts announced on 10 August 2016 that they would not be returning to the show for series 14 in September due to their "increasingly busy schedules".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/5live-lineup|title=Radio 5 live unveils exciting new line-up|website=BBC|date=1 July 2014|access-date=22 December 2019|archive-date=20 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520064615/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/5live-lineup|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2016/08/09/25510/josh_widdicombe_throws_in_the_towel_on_fighting_talk|title=Josh Widdicombe throws in the towel on Fighting Talk|date=2016-08-09|website=Chortle|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085649/https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2016/08/09/25510/josh_widdicombe_throws_in_the_towel_on_fighting_talk|url-status=live}}

In August 2014, Widdicombe starred in the BBC Three Comedy Feeds pilot Josh, which he co-wrote with comedian Tom Craine and which was directed by David Schneider.{{cite news|url=http://www.thecourieronline.co.uk/josh/|title=Josh|work=The Courier|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085645/http://www.thecourieronline.co.uk/josh/|url-status=live}} A full six-episode series of Josh, also directed by Schneider, ran on BBC Three from 11 November to 16 December 2015.{{cite web|title=Josh|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p022cfq2|website=BBC Three Programmes|date=December 2015|access-date=22 December 2019|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627054834/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p022cfq2|url-status=live}} BBC Three ordered a second full series of Josh; and a third and final series followed in 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-12-17/josh-gets-second-series-on-bbc-three|title=Josh gets second series on BBC Three|website=RadioTimes|date=17 December 2015|access-date=3 July 2016|archive-date=29 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529233313/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-12-17/josh-gets-second-series-on-bbc-three|url-status=dead}}

In 2015, Widdicombe was a contestant on the first series of the Dave game show Taskmaster and won the series. For one of the tasks, Widdicombe got a tattoo of host Greg Davies's name on his left foot. He then returned for a team task in series two where he was partnered with Richard Osman and Jon Richardson.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a627771/josh-widdicombe-frank-skinner-for-new-dave-show-taskmaster.html|title=Josh Widdicombe, Frank Skinner for new Dave show Taskmaster|website=DigitalSpy British Comedy Guide|date=9 February 2015|access-date=18 August 2015|archive-date=13 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913004624/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a627771/josh-widdicombe-frank-skinner-for-new-dave-show-taskmaster.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Taskmaster New Series – Stars Revealed - Beyond The Joke|url=http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/2535/news-taskmaster-new-series-%E2%80%93-stars-revealed|website=www.beyondthejoke.co.uk|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=2 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402072838/http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/2535/news-taskmaster-new-series-%E2%80%93-stars-revealed|url-status=live}}

Widdicombe has performed on radio on BBC Radio 4's Arthur Smith's Balham Bash{{Cite episode |title=Series 2, Episode 4|series=Arthur Smith's Balham Bash|network=BBC Radio 4|date=2010-05-06|series-no=2|number=4}} and Absolute Radio's The Frank Skinner Show,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0373kdk|title=Josh Widdicombe|date=2015-11-27|website=BBC Programmes|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085649/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0373kdk|url-status=live}} written for comedy panel shows Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} and BBC Radio 4's Look Away Now,{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/josh_widdicombe/|title=Josh Widdicombe|date=n.d.|website=British Comedy Guide|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104105704/https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/josh_widdicombe/|url-status=live}} and supported stand-up comedians Russell Howard, Michael McIntyre, Alan Carr, Stephen Merchant and Shappi Khorsandi on their respective live tours.{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Josh-Widdicombe-Milton-Jones-Shappi-Khorsandi-Primed-For-Ealing-Comedy-Festival-20180509|title=Josh Widdicombe, Milton Jones, Shappi Khorsandi Primed For Ealing Comedy Festival|date=2018-05-09|last=Wild|first=Stephi|publisher=Wisdom Digital Media|website=Broadway World UK|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085647/https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Josh-Widdicombe-Milton-Jones-Shappi-Khorsandi-Primed-For-Ealing-Comedy-Festival-20180509|url-status=live}}

Widdicombe hosted a weekly radio show on XFM (now Radio X) with Neil "Producer Neil" Fearn from February 2013 to July 2015,{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/podcast-review-the-josh-widdicombe-show-on-xfm-gp77s6736bn|title=Podcast review: The Josh Widdicombe Show on XFM|last=McGuire|first=David|date=2014-04-30|work=The Times|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085642/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/podcast-review-the-josh-widdicombe-show-on-xfm-gp77s6736bn|url-status=live}} which was broadcast initially on Saturdays but which moved to Sundays in August 2014 coinciding with his new role as Fighting Talk presenter (see above). The show regularly featured contributions from comedians James Acaster, Nish Kumar, Joe Lycett and several others along with occasional interjections and background laughter by XFM's "Intern Charles". The podcast of the show was named "iTunes Best New Audio Podcast" in 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.macworld.co.uk/news/iphone/best-apps-music-films-books-tv-podcasts-2013-listed-apple-itunes-3494097/|first=Ashleigh|last=Allsopp|title=Best apps, music, films, books, TV and podcasts of 2013 listed by Apple on iTunes|date=17 December 2013|website=MacWorld|access-date=2022-01-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203194016/http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/iphone/best-apps-music-films-books-tv-podcasts-2013-listed-apple-itunes-3494097/|archive-date=2014-02-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/event/421140-josh-widdicombes-xfm-show-live/|title=Josh Widdicombe's XFM Show Live!|date=n.d.|website=Edinburgh Festival|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085644/https://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/event/421140-josh-widdicombes-xfm-show-live/|url-status=live}} The last edition of the show aired on 26 July 2015.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}

Widdicombe has made four appearances on Live at the Apollo. He was a featured performer on Episodes 7.8 (21 January 2012), 9.1 (22 November 2013) and 11.7 (AKA Nöel at the Apollo; 20 December 2015) and hosted on Episode 12.2 (14 November 2016).

In December 2015, Widdicombe announced that he was a team captain on the BBC Two comedy panel show Insert Name Here, appearing alongside Richard Osman and host Sue Perkins. The show aired in January 2016 and returned for two more series in January 2017/2018.{{cite web|title=Insert Name Here|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b086t4qj|website=BBC Programmes|access-date=15 May 2017|archive-date=21 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821124808/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b086t4qj|url-status=live}}

In December 2017, Widdicombe returned to Taskmaster for a two-part series alongside his fellow winners of previous series including Katherine Ryan, Bob Mortimer, Rob Beckett and Noel Fielding to compete in the Taskmaster - Champion of Champions. He won the series.

File:Davot_Irving,_Fran_Reynolds,_Dave_Lavis,_Josh_Widdicombe_and_Chris_Scull_(42218590362)_(cropped)_(cropped).jpg

Widdicombe hosts 1990s football nostalgia podcast and live shows called Quickly Kevin, Will He Score?.{{Cite news|url=https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/football-indepth/quickly-kevin-podcast-90s-football-nostalgia/amp/|title=Quickly Kevin, will he score? The podcast that glories in 90s football nostalgia|work=inews.co.uk|date=9 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509080510/https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/football-indepth/quickly-kevin-podcast-90s-football-nostalgia/amp/|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-date=9 May 2018}} Guests include footballers such as Iain Dowie, Darren Huckerby, Pat Nevin and Matthew Le Tissier as well as comedians such as Elis James, Tom Parry, Ivo Graham and Matt Forde.{{cite web|url=https://play.acast.com/s/quicklykevin|title=Quickly Kevin; Will He Score? The 90s Football Show|date=n.d.|website=Acast|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085648/https://play.acast.com/s/quicklykevin|url-status=dead}}

In 2019 Widdicombe began hosting panel show Hypothetical with James Acaster for UK television channel Dave.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishnews.com/arts/books/2021/09/29/news/comedian-josh-widdicombe-on-his-parenting-dilemmas-and-watching-a-lot-of-tv-when-he-was-growing-up-in-the-90s-2461654/|title=Comedian Josh Widdicombe on his parenting dilemmas and watching a lot of TV when he was growing up in the 90s|date=2021-09-29|last=Stephenson|first=Hannah|access-date=2022-01-04|work=The Irish News|archive-date=10 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110013901/https://www.irishnews.com/arts/books/2021/09/29/news/comedian-josh-widdicombe-on-his-parenting-dilemmas-and-watching-a-lot-of-tv-when-he-was-growing-up-in-the-90s-2461654/|url-status=live}} In 2020, Widdicombe started a parenting podcast with fellow comedian Rob Beckett, titled Lockdown Parenting Hell. It was renamed Parenting Hell following the third national lockdown. It is a podcast about bringing up children, experiences, tips and face-palm moments. In 2021, it was announced that Widdicombe had written a book: Watching Neighbours Twice a Day... How '90s TV (Almost) Prepared Me for Life, published in September 2021. It made The Sunday Times bestsellers list.

In December 2024 he voiced over the part of Barnsley in the Bluey episode "Butlers".{{cn|date=December 2024}} He also appeared in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special,{{Cite web |title=Josh Widdicombe is the first celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2024/strictly-come-dancing-josh-widdicombe/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2024 winners crowned |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2024/strictly-come-dancing-christmas-special-2024-winners |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en}} dancing a charleston with professional Karen Hauer to the song "Let It Snow" while dressed as a penguin.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXl7d7r_0Lg&feature=youtu.be |title=Josh Widdicombe and Karen Hauer Charleston to Let It Snow by Glee Cast ✨ BBC Strictly 2024 |date=2024-12-25 |last=BBC Strictly Come Dancing |access-date=2024-12-27 |via=YouTube}}

In February 2025 Widdicombe made his debut on BBC Radio 2 sitting in for Romesh Ranganathan on his Saturday Show, alongside with actor and presenter Siobhan McSweeney.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027v70 | title=Romesh Ranganathan - Josh Widdicombe sits in, with actor and presenter Siobhan McSweeney - BBC Sounds }}

Before becoming a comedian, Widdicombe worked as a sports journalist, writing for The Guardian.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/profile/joshwiddicombe?page=2|title=Josh Widdicombe|work=The Guardian|access-date=2 September 2016|archive-date=23 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923081816/https://www.theguardian.com/profile/joshwiddicombe?page=2|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Phil |title=Comic Josh Widdicombe on swapping sport for stand-up |url=https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/view,comic-josh-widdicombe-on-swapping-sport-for-standup_10401.htm |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Rotherham Advertiser |date=21 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115135232/https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/view,comic-josh-widdicombe-on-swapping-sport-for-standup_10401.htm |archive-date=15 January 2023}} He supports Plymouth Argyle.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/jan/09/plymouth-argyle-liverpool-fa-cup-josh-widdicombe |title=Anfield draw was my greatest experience as a Plymouth fan – but pure pain |work=The Guardian |date=9 Jan 2017 |access-date=23 Jan 2019 |last=Widdicombe |first=Josh |archive-date=22 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122180141/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/jan/09/plymouth-argyle-liverpool-fa-cup-josh-widdicombe |url-status=live }} He is a vegetarian.{{cite web|url=https://offthekerb.com/news/josh-widdicombe-to-publish-his-first-book-this-september/|title=Josh Widdicombe To Publish His First Book This September|date=2021|website=Off the Kerb|access-date=4 January 2022|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085644/https://offthekerb.com/news/josh-widdicombe-to-publish-his-first-book-this-september/|url-status=dead}} He is married to Rose Hanson, a television producer, with whom he has a daughter, Pearl, born in October 2017, and a son, Cassius, born in May 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/josh-widdicombe-interview-the-last-leg-comedian-on-having-his-own-bbc3-sitcom-and-making-it-to-the-top-of-uk-standup-a6726331.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220617/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/josh-widdicombe-interview-the-last-leg-comedian-on-having-his-own-bbc3-sitcom-and-making-it-to-the-top-of-uk-standup-a6726331.html |archive-date=17 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Josh Widdicombe interview: The Last Leg comedian on having his own BBC3 sitcom and making it to the top of UK stand-up|last=Jones|first=Alice|date=2015-11-08|work=The Independent|access-date=2022-01-04}}{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/josh-widdicombe-baby-last-leg-124502476.html|title=Josh Widdicombe reveals arrival of second baby as 'The Last Leg' returns|last=Beasley|first=Thomas|date=2021-06-05|work=Yahoo News|access-date=2022-01-04|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085647/https://news.yahoo.com/josh-widdicombe-baby-last-leg-124502476.html|url-status=live}} The couple lived for a considerable amount of time in Shoreditch, before moving to a "sleepier" area of east London to raise their children.{{cite news |work=mylondon.news |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/channel-4-one-night-alton-22479613 |title=Josh Widdicombe's marriage to TV producer wife and idyllic East London home |date=16 December 2021 |access-date=23 July 2022 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122090828/https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/channel-4-one-night-alton-22479613 |url-status=live }}

His claim of descent from Sabine Baring-Gould was confirmed by a 2021 episode of the genealogical television series Who Do You Think You Are?{{cite book|last=Tope|first=Rebecca|title=Sabine Baring-Gould|date=29 April 2019 |publisher=eBook Partnership |isbn=978-1-912924-82-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZtNHEAAAQBAJ|access-date=24 February 2023|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104085647/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZtNHEAAAQBAJ|url-status=live}} The programme traced his ancestry further back via the Baring family to the Knollys family, a noble family during the Tudor era; Lettice Knollys is a direct-line ancestor of Widdicombe's, and as such he is related to Queen Elizabeth I through her aunt, Mary Boleyn. His 10×-great-grandfather, Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland was a close friend of King Charles I, for whom he was Groom of the Stool.{{cite web |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2021/10/05/49376/josh_widdicombe_is_descended_from_henry_viii |title=Josh Widdicombe is descended from Henry VIII |publisher=chortle.co.uk |date=5 October 2021 |access-date=13 February 2024}}{{Cite episode |title=Josh Widdicombe|series=Who Do You Think You Are?|network=BBC|date=12 October 2021|series-no=18|number=1}}see Radio Times 9-15 October 2021 page 78 Through Mary, Widdicombe is a direct descendant of King Edward I.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/who-do-you-think-are-josh-widdicombe-b1937384.html|title=WDYTYA viewers think Josh Widdicombe has a claim to the throne after royal link found|date=13 October 2021|website=The Independent}}

• Live: And Another Thing (18 November 2013)
• What Do I Do Now... Live (28 November 2016)

{{reflist|2}}

• {{Official website|https://www.joshwiddicombe.com/}}
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0070hvs Fighting Talk]
• {{IMDb name|id=4073381|name=Josh Widdicombe}}
• [http://www.whatsonwales.co.uk/interviews/i/26931/ 2013 What's On Wales interview]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Widdicombe, Josh}}

Category:1983 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century English comedians

Category:People educated at South Dartmoor Community College

Category:Alumni of City, University of London

Category:Alumni of the University of Manchester

Category:English radio DJs

Category:Comedians from Devon

Category:Comedians from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

Category:English male comedians

Category:English stand-up comedians

Category:People from Hammersmith

Category:Knollys family