Josh Widdicombe limits social media after criticism of Strictly live debut
Strictly Come Dancing's new co-host Josh Widdicombe said on a podcast that they are limiting their social media use, days after online criticism of their live debut. The two outlets covering it differ in how much they say the criticism was aimed at Widdicombe.
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The story, neutrally told
Josh Widdicombe, 43, said on the podcast Parenting Hell that they have been limiting their phone and social media use after their live debut as a Strictly Come Dancing host. Daily MailR “Returning to his popular podcast Parenting Hell after the backlash, Josh told his co-host Rob Beckett how he has recently been limiting his phone use.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “Speaking this week on his podcast Parenting Hell, Mr Widdicombe told his co-host Rob Beckett that he has been limiting his screen time.” Read at GB News ↗ Widdicombe said they are using the Brick, a device that locks distracting apps on a smartphone, and called it "mad" that people feel they must buy a second phone. Daily MailR “'I'm back on the Brick. You've inspired me and I'm loving the Brick again,' he admitted” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “"It's mad that we've reached this space in time where we have to buy a second phone because we're being dragged into these apps."” Read at GB News ↗ Widdicombe co-hosts with Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe, who replaced Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Daily MailR “a 'spare part' in the new hosting trio which also includes Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “long-term hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly decided to step down from their roles after last year's show” Read at GB News ↗
According to the Daily Mail, viewers complained that the presenters missed cues and fluffed lines, and singled out Widdicombe as a "spare part" beside Willis. Daily MailR “Viewers complained about the new presenters missing cues and fluffing lines”“viewers soon singled out the 'spare part', homing in on Josh.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ The Daily Mail also reported that Saturday's live show drew fewer viewers than the pre-recorded launch episode for the first time in seven years. Daily MailR “the live show bringing in fewer viewers than the pre-recorded launch episode for the first time in seven years” Read at Daily Mail ↗ The Daily Mail said many critics blamed the BBC's decision to use three presenters rather than Widdicombe, and quoted viewers who thought the comedian would work better in a different role. Daily MailR “Critics and viewers have argued though that 'Josh is really not the problem', criticising BBC bosses for hiring three hosts and misassigning their roles.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
GB News said the BBC's decision prompted debate from the start and that Widdicombe has come under the most fire from the public. GB NewsR “since the series began, The Last Leg star Mr Widdicombe has come under the most fire from the public.” Read at GB News ↗ Neither article quotes Widdicombe directly linking the screen-time limits to the Strictly criticism. The link is made by the outlets' framing. Daily MailR “'I pulled the drawbridge up at 2008 when I started stand up,' Josh replied.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ GB NewsR “He shared that he has been using an app, the Brick, to help keep him off social media through its use of locks.” Read at GB News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
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Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets present the podcast remarks as a reaction to the Strictly backlash. The Daily Mail adds detail on the on-air moments, ratings and viewer comments. GB News leads on 'drastic action' and a BBC backlash.
- Emphasis
- The Daily Mail stresses missed cues, the 'spare part' label, the ratings drop and viewer complaints about the BBC's three-host choice. GB News stresses the online storm and that Widdicombe drew the most criticism.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither quotes Widdicombe tying the screen-time limits to the Strictly criticism. Neither includes a BBC response.
- Charged language
- “pulled the drawbridge up”“a spare part”“drastic action”“online storm”
- For example
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“Josh Widdicombe says he has 'pulled the drawbridge up' on social media after fans branded him 'a spare part' on Strictly” — Daily Mail
“Josh Widdicombe takes drastic action over social media use amid BBC Strictly backlash” — GB News
What every side reports
- Widdicombe made their live Strictly debut on Saturday alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe.
- On the podcast Parenting Hell, Widdicombe told Rob Beckett they are back using the Brick to limit phone use.
- Widdicombe's hosting drew heavy criticism on social media.
Where accounts differ
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Whether Widdicombe is the main target or the wrong target of the criticism
- Right
- GB News says Widdicombe has come under the most fire. The Daily Mail says many critics thought the problem was the BBC's three-host setup rather than Widdicombe.
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Whether the screen-time limits are a response to the backlash
- Right
- GB News says Widdicombe is taking a break from social media amid the online storm. The Daily Mail presents it as a ban after the backlash, but Widdicombe's quoted remarks cover phone habits and the Brick, not the Strictly reaction.
Josh Widdicombe person
Widdicombe described limiting phone use with the Brick and said it is 'mad' that people feel they need a second phone. Both outlets report no comment from them on the Strictly criticism itself.
“'It's mad that we've reached this space in time where we have to buy a second phone because we're being dragged into these apps,' Josh told him.” — Daily Mail
“"I'm back on the Brick. You've inspired me, and I'm loving the Brick again,"” — GB News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
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Mixed Links the social media break to the backlash and gives a detailed account of the on-air slips, ratings drop and fan criticism, while noting many viewers blame the BBC rather than Widdicombe.
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GB NewsR ·
Josh Widdicombe takes drastic action over social media use amid BBC Strictly backlash
Alarmist Frames the podcast comments as 'drastic action' in response to an 'online storm' and says Widdicombe has come under the most fire.
- 29 Sep 12:24 First Daily MailR Josh Widdicombe says he has 'pulled the drawbridge up' on social media after fans branded him 'a spare part' on Strictly
- 29 Sep 15:28 +3h 4m GB NewsR Josh Widdicombe takes drastic action over social media use amid BBC Strictly backlash
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.