New Strictly host Josh Widdicombe has revealed he has ‘pulled the drawbridge up’ on what he consumes on social media.The comedian, 43, made his live debut on the BBC show over the weekend, but was criticised for being ‘a spare part’ in the new hosting trio which also includes Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe.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.The star, who previously admitted he was addicted to his phone, said he has been using the Brick – a screen-time blocking device which locks distracting apps on a smartphone. ‘I’m back on the Brick. You’ve inspired me and I’m loving the Brick again,’ he admitted to Celebrity Traitors star Rob, who explained he was now using two phones and limiting social media use on his personal device. ‘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.Rob joked about Josh’s social media use, pointing out that he has ‘pulled the drawbridge up’ on consuming any content post 2003. ‘I pulled the drawbridge up at 2008 when I started stand up,’ Josh replied. New Strictly host Josh Widdicombe has revealed he has placed himself on a social media ban and has ‘pulled the drawbridge up’ on what he consumes onlineStrictly has suffered a drop in ratings since new presenting team Josh, Emma and Johannes took over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The 150-minute episode suffered a ratings slump on Saturday, with the live show bringing in fewer viewers than the pre-recorded launch episode for the first time in seven years. Viewers complained about the new presenters missing cues and fluffing lines and asked the big question – why did the BBC hire three to do a two-man job? A week on from the pre-recorded launch, fans and critics were hoping Emma, Josh and Johannes would have had some time to finesse their roles.During the launch, the three rotated positions in the Elstree studio. But with three vying for two roles, viewers soon singled out the ‘spare part’, homing in on Josh.For the first live show Emma, the most experienced presenter of the three, took over Tess’s position down on the dancefloor, looking out for the nervous contestants during the judges’ critique. Johannes meanwhile was up in the ‘Clauditorium’, debriefing with his fellow pros and their partners. That left Josh, who was placed by Emma’s side adding the punchlines to her commentary, but the decision to split Tess’s role didn’t go down well with viewers who remarked that the comedian looked like a ‘spare part’ next to seasoned professional Emma. The comedian made his live debut on Strictly over the weekend, but was criticised for being ‘a spare part’ in the new hosting trio which also includes Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe Josh’s inexperience, and nerves, were evident when he awkwardly missed his cue during a link. After chatting with Love Island’s Cach Mercer following his dance, Johannes threw to Emma and Josh, asking: ‘Who’s dancing now?’The screen then cut to them to introduce the next pair, but Josh stood there for a few seconds until he realised it was time to speak. The same issue then happened again later in the show during a different link. Later, judge Motsi Mabuse playfully admonished Josh with a sassy comment during Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey’s feedback.After Craig gave his rather cutting feedback, Motsi turned to him to say that she actually agreed with what he was saying for once, which led to Craig quipping: ‘Great – we can move on to Shirley [Ballas] then!’Motsi burst out laughing before then replying: ‘Well I have to do my job too!’ Josh jumped in, jokingly shouting: ‘Shirley!’ as if to skip over Motsi’s feedback.The Strictly veteran cheekily remarked to Josh: ‘Well are we going to be friends or enemies, you choose now!’ as the audience and Josh laughed it off.’Josh feared for his P45 in Week 1. Motsi ate him up,’ declared one viewer on X.Critics and viewers have argued though that ‘Josh is really not the problem’, criticising BBC bosses for hiring three hosts and misassigning their roles.Josh, well versed in comedy live telly thanks to his 14 years on Channel 4’s The Last Leg, should have been given Claudia’s role, argued many fans, pointing out that his gag-filled commentary works best as a soloist. ‘I’m not going to be one of the people hating on Josh. For me the problem is that three hosts just aren’t needed,’ pointed out one viewer on X. ‘He’s just standing there awkwardly next to Emma without much to do. Josh should’ve been up where Johannes is and Johannes should be dancing imo.”Ngl, i’m not a fan of this hosts setup. I’d switch jojo and josh around, why book a comedian and not put him causing chaos and fun in the clauditorium (or whatever we call it these days) #Strictly,’ agreed another.