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Josh Widdicombe's Royal Lineage Revealed!
26 Sep
Summary
- Josh Widdicombe discovered royal connections on BBC's Who Do You Think You Are?
- He is distantly related to King Henry VIII through Lady Catherine Knollys.
- Widdicombe also has ties to King Edward I and French King Phillip III.
Strictly Come Dancing's upcoming live show will feature comedian Josh Widdicombe as a presenter, alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe. This marks Widdicombe's second involvement with the renowned ballroom competition, having previously competed in its 2024 Christmas special.
Further delving into Widdicombe's background, a 2021 appearance on 'Who Do You Think You Are?' uncovered his distant relation to King Henry VIII. His lineage traces back through Lady Catherine Knollys, believed to be Henry VIII's illegitimate daughter with Mary Boleyn. This revelation surprised Widdicombe, who had anticipated a simpler family history.
Beyond the Tudor connection, Widdicombe's ancestry includes ties to King Edward I, who reigned from 1272 to 1307, and French King Phillip III. His 10x-great-grandfather, Henry Rich, also served as a trusted counsel to King Charles I, underscoring a significant historical pedigree.
Widdicombe is widely recognized for his role as a team captain on Channel 4's 'The Last Leg' and his win in 'Taskmaster's' debut series. He also co-hosts the popular podcast 'Parenting Hell' with Rob Beckett.
In his personal life, Josh Widdicombe married interior designer Rose Hanson in 2019. They share two children: Pearl, born in October 2017, and Cassius, born in May 2021. The couple resides in Exeter, in a home formerly owned by Noel Edmonds. Rose Hanson herself has a notable career in television production, contributing to shows like '8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown', and her mother was Violet Philpott, creator of the character Zippy from 'Rainbow'.
