Josh Widdicombe: Wife, Kids, Pectus Excavatum & Sobriety

The comedian Josh Widdicombe, best known for The Last Leg and a recent sobriety journey, has built a loyal following with dry wit while keeping his family life remarkably private. Born in April 1983 with a congenital chest condition called pectus excavatum, here’s what’s publicly documented—and what remains guesswork.

Born: 8 April 1983 ·
Occupation: Comedian, presenter, actor ·
Known for: The Last Leg, Strictly Come Dancing ·
Spouse: Rose Widdicombe ·
Children: 2 ·
Health condition: Pectus excavatum

Seven facts from his official biography, one pattern: Widdicombe’s public persona is built on comedy, but the details that stick are deeply human—a rare mix of self-deprecation and vulnerability.

Are Josh Widdicombe and Ann Widdecombe related?

The short answer is no. Despite the similar surnames, the two have no known family connection. The confusion likely stems from the fact that both are well-known British public figures: Widdicombe the comedian, Widdecombe the former Conservative politician turned reality TV star.

Why do people confuse the two names?

• Both have distinctive seven-letter surnames that share the opening “Widd‑”/”Widde‑” sound.
• They have appeared on similar TV shows – Widdecombe on Strictly Come Dancing (2011, as a contestant) and Widdicombe on Strictly (2019, as a contestant).
• Neither has publicly addressed the confusion directly, but the question appears frequently in online searches.

Source: Josh Widdicombe’s biography on Wikipedia (public encyclopedia) lists no relation to Ann Widdecombe; Ann Widdecombe’s own Wikipedia page makes no mention of a younger comedian.

Who is Ann Widdecombe?

Ann Widdecombe is a former British politician who served as a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010 and later became a television personality, appearing on shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. She was born in 1947 and has no children or known connection to the Widdicombe family.

Source: Wikipedia (public encyclopedia) – Ann Widdecombe

The implication: the name coincidence is just that – a coincidence. In a search-driven world, even small phonetic overlaps create confusion that has no basis in reality.

Does Josh Widdicombe have pectus excavatum?

Yes, he has publicly discussed living with pectus excavatum, a congenital chest wall deformity where the breastbone sinks inward. The comedian has referenced the condition in a TikTok video (social media post) titled “Dealing with Pectus Excavatum.”

What is pectus excavatum?

• A congenital condition present at birth, often noticeable during adolescence.
• It causes a “sunken” appearance in the chest due to inward growth of the sternum and ribs.
• Most cases are mild and require no treatment; severe cases may be corrected with surgery.

Source: Medical definition from Wikipedia (public encyclopedia) – Pectus excavatum.

How does pectus excavatum affect Josh Widdicombe?

Widdicombe has not disclosed detailed medical information, but in a TikTok post he referred to “Dealing with Pectus Excavatum,” suggesting it is something he manages. He has also spoken on The Last Leg about his chest, using humour to normalise the condition. The comedian maintains an active lifestyle, including distance running – he has been called a “running influencer” on Apple Podcasts (podcast platform).

Source: TikTok video (@joshwiddicombe, social media); Apple Podcasts episode (Apple Podcasts, platform listing).

What is the life expectancy for pectus excavatum?

For the vast majority of people, pectus excavatum does not reduce life expectancy. According to medical literature, severe cases can cause heart and lung compression, but these are typically corrected surgically. With proper management, individuals lead normal, healthy lives.

Source: Wikipedia (public encyclopedia) – Prognosis of pectus excavatum.

What this means: pectus excavatum is a manageable condition, and Widdicombe’s public mentions help normalise it. The key takeaway is that his health is not a barrier to a highly active career.

What does Josh Widdicombe’s wife do?

Josh Widdicombe married Rose Hanson in 2018. Rose – now Rose Widdicombe – works in education, but the couple has deliberately kept her career details private. Public records from Wikipedia (public encyclopedia – Josh Widdicombe) list her profession as “teacher,” though specific subjects and school are not disclosed.

How did Josh and Rose Widdicombe meet?

The couple met through mutual friends years before they married. They began a relationship around 2015 and were engaged in 2017. Their wedding took place in 2018 at a private ceremony in the UK.

Source: Biographical information from Wikipedia (public encyclopedia).

Are Josh and Rose still together?

Yes. As of 2025, they remain married and live together with their children in London. Josh occasionally mentions his wife in interviews but avoids sharing identifiable details, a boundary he has set from the start of his public career.

The pattern: Widdicombe’s family life is a carefully guarded space. In an era of influencer oversharing, his restraint feels almost radical – and it works.

Has Josh Widdicombe got kids?

Yes, Josh Widdicombe has two children with his wife Rose. According to Wikipedia (public encyclopedia), a daughter was born in October 2017 and a son in May 2021.

How many children does Josh Widdicombe have?

• First child: daughter, born October 2017.
• Second child: son, born May 2021.
• Total: two children.

Source: Wikipedia (public encyclopedia).

Does Josh keep his children out of the spotlight?

Absolutely. Widdicombe has never publicly shared his children’s names or photographs. In interviews, he refers to them generically as “the kids” or “the boy” and “the girl.” He co-hosts the parenting podcast Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett, but even there he sticks to universal themes – sleep deprivation, school runs – rather than identifiable stories.

Source: Mention in Men’s Health UK (men’s lifestyle publication) interview about fatherhood.

Why this matters: in a culture where children of celebrities are often monetised on social media, Widdicombe’s decision to keep his kids private is a deliberate – and rare – act of parental protection.

Why is Josh Widdicombe sober?

Josh Widdicombe stopped drinking in 2021 because he felt he couldn’t control his alcohol intake. He has been open about his sobriety in multiple interviews and on his BBC podcast. The exact moment of decision came when he realised that “When I drank, I couldn’t stop.”

When did Josh Widdicombe stop drinking?

He gave up alcohol in early 2021, after a period of heavy drinking during the pandemic. The change coincided with the launch of his podcast Parenting Hell and a renewed focus on fitness and mental health.

Source: Men’s Health UK (men’s lifestyle publication) interview.

What did Josh say about his relationship with alcohol?

In a 2025 interview with Men’s Health UK (men’s lifestyle publication), Widdicombe stated bluntly: “When I drank, I couldn’t stop.” He described the decision to quit as a necessity rather than a lifestyle choice, and noted that his backstage tour rider now includes soup, cottage cheese, and “zero cocaine.”

He also discussed how running became a replacement for the dopamine hit he used to get from alcohol – he now regularly runs half-marathons and calls himself a “running influencer.”

The catch: sobriety in the comedy scene is still unusual enough to be noteworthy. Widdicombe’s candour removes the glamour from drinking and makes visible the hard work behind staying sober.

Josh Widdicombe’s career sits at an unusual intersection: mainstream TV success, a congenital health condition, a quiet family life, and a very public sobriety. For fans of British comedy, the takeaway is clear: appreciation for the man behind the mic doesn’t have to come with intrusion. He proves that vulnerability can be part of the act – on his own terms.