Josh Widdicombe, the comedian and soon-to-be host of BBC One's 'Strictly Come Dancing', has recounted a bizarre and aggressive encounter with a fellow passenger on a recent flight back from Greece. The 43-year-old revealed on his 'Parenting Hell' podcast that he was 'whacked in the back' during a heated exchange over a plane seat, an incident that left him baffled and amused in equal measure.
The confrontation began as Widdicombe was waiting for the aircraft toilet. He briefly rested his foot on the armrest of an unoccupied seat, intending to tie his shoelace. This seemingly minor action quickly drew the ire of a woman who claimed the seat belonged to her husband. Despite Widdicombe immediately removing his foot and apologising, the woman reportedly refused to accept his apology and continued to admonish him.
The situation escalated when her husband, described by Widdicombe as having an intimidating physique, returned from the toilet. The man allegedly 'whacked' Widdicombe in the back as he passed, before sitting down and then confronting the comedian directly, demanding to know if he had put his foot on his seat. Widdicombe reiterated his apology, but the passenger remained indignant, proceeding to meticulously clean his seat with napkins for an extended period.
Fortunately for Widdicombe, the cabin crew intervened and ultimately sided with him, expressing their familiarity with such difficult passengers. The incident provided a moment of comedic relief for Widdicombe when a fan approached him at the same time, offering a welcome distraction. The couple, however, maintained their hostility throughout the flight, with the woman reportedly staring at Widdicombe and her husband continuing to clean his seat for over an hour, much to the disbelief of the air stewards.
Upon landing, Widdicombe observed the couple making a swift exit from the aircraft, seemingly eager to avoid any further interaction. The comedian is gearing up for a busy autumn, joining Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe as new presenters for 'Strictly Come Dancing', replacing long-standing hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. Widdicombe previously competed in the show's 2024 Christmas Special, setting the stage for his upcoming debut in a presenting role.