It was a morning of laughs and light-hearted embarrassment for comedian Josh Widdicombe on January 9, 2026, as he joined Chris Moyles and Dominic Byrne on The Chris Moyles Breakfast Show on Radio X. The occasion, meant to promote the runaway success of the Parenting Hell podcast, quickly turned into a playful grilling, with Moyles highlighting a recent, awkward moment from the show that left Widdicombe defending his on-air enthusiasm—or lack thereof.
Listeners tuning into Radio X that morning were treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the world of comedy podcasts and radio can sometimes collide in unexpected ways. Chris Moyles, never one to let a good story slip by, brought up the remarkable ascent of Parenting Hell, the hit podcast Widdicombe co-hosts with fellow comedian Rob Beckett. The show, which has captivated audiences with its honest and hilarious takes on the trials of parenting, recently featured a segment in which Beckett recounted his Christmas break, turning forty, and a surprise celebrity sighting—none other than Moyles himself—on a holiday flight.
What Widdicombe didn’t know, as Moyles revealed with a grin, was that Beckett had mentioned this celebrity encounter on the podcast, just as Widdicombe was slated to appear on Moyles’ breakfast show that same week. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for a bit of good-natured ribbing. Moyles, seizing the opportunity, played a clip from Parenting Hell in which Beckett casually name-dropped Moyles. Widdicombe’s response in the clip? He immediately pivoted the conversation away from Beckett’s celebrity sighting, steering it toward Lapland UK—leaving Moyles to joke about the abrupt change of subject and what it said about Widdicombe’s priorities.
“Wow. Josh, really?” Moyles teased, replaying the moment for the studio and listeners alike, his tone dripping with mock disbelief. The exchange was all in good fun, but Widdicombe was quick to defend himself, laughing along and blaming the podcast’s edit rather than his own enthusiasm. “I’ve been done in the edit,” he insisted, explaining, “There was three or four minutes of chat about how excited I was about bringing it up. I don’t know what it is. The bods upstairs, they’ve absolutely done me.” According to OnTheRadio.co.uk, Dominic Byrne admitted he had never even heard the Parenting Hell clip before Moyles played it on air, adding another layer of spontaneity to the segment.
The moment was a reminder of how even seasoned comedians can find themselves caught off guard by the unpredictable nature of radio and podcasting. Yet, it also showcased the camaraderie and quick wit that have made Parenting Hell such a phenomenon in the UK comedy scene. Since its inception, the podcast has resonated with listeners for its unfiltered look at parenthood, and its popularity has only grown. In 2023, Widdicombe and Beckett took Parenting Hell on a live arena tour, packing venues across the country and further cementing their status as two of Britain’s most beloved comedy voices. Their book, inspired by the podcast, soared to the top of the Sunday Times Bestseller Charts, further proof of their wide-reaching appeal.
Widdicombe’s busy start to 2026 doesn’t end with radio appearances and podcasting success. As reported by VillaGaiety, he is set to bring his latest stand-up show, Not My Cup of Tea, to the Gaiety Theatre on the Isle of Man on March 7, 2026. The performance is part of a star-studded comedy line-up at the VillaGaiety venues that promises to keep audiences laughing throughout the year. Widdicombe, who has also co-hosted more than 30 series of the award-winning Channel 4 show The Last Leg, is in good company—joining a roster that includes Chris Ramsey, Tom Davis, Ed Gamble, Henning Wehn, Harry Enfield, and the legendary Peter Kay.
Chris Ramsey will kick off the year’s comedy offerings with his show Here, man! at the Villa Marina on January 29, 2026. According to VillaGaiety, Ramsey’s tour is hotly anticipated, following the huge success of his previous sell-out run in 2020, which saw him perform for over 100,000 fans nationwide. Ramsey’s profile has continued to rise thanks to his appearances on The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show, Strictly Come Dancing, and Taskmaster, as well as his co-hosting duties on the wildly popular podcast Shagged. Married. Annoyed.
But perhaps the most headline-grabbing moment for the Isle of Man’s comedy calendar is the return of Peter Kay. The comedy icon is scheduled to perform his show Better Late Than Never...Again! at the Villa Marina on February 20 and 21, 2026. Demand for tickets was so intense that both shows sold out the morning they were released. As a spokesperson for VillaGaiety told local press, “Overwhelming demand for Peter’s return to stand-up comedy has been phenomenal and fans will now have more opportunity to experience his incredible show live.” Kay’s tour, which began in Manchester in December 2022, has already been record-breaking. He completed his 100th show at the Manchester AO Arena, smashing both attendance and performance records, and he became the first artist in the world to hold a monthly residency at The O2 in London, performing an astonishing 45 shows—the most by any artist in the venue’s history.
Peter Kay himself commented on the significance of his return to live comedy, saying, “It's been wonderful doing what I love most, stand-up comedy. Laughter is more important than ever in these challenging times and with the cost of living still at an all-time high, ticket prices for the new dates will start from £35.” His words captured the spirit of the current comedy boom, offering a touch of hope and much-needed levity as audiences continue to grapple with the pressures of everyday life.
Following Widdicombe’s March performance, Tom Davis will take the stage with his show Spudgun on April 11, 2026, bringing his trademark humor and perspective on life’s hot topics. Davis, known for his work on the mega-hit podcast Wolf and Owl with Romesh Ranganathan and his starring roles in Murder in Successville and King Gary, promises to deliver a night of laughter. Ed Gamble will follow at the Villa Marina on May 29, 2026, with Henning Wehn scheduled for June 4, 2026, at the Gaiety Theatre. Later in the year, fans can look forward to a performance by satirical comedian Harry Enfield at the Villa Marina on October 22, 2026.
Altogether, the 2026 comedy line-up at the Isle of Man’s VillaGaiety venues is shaping up to be one for the ages, with some of the UK’s top comedic talents set to take the stage. As for Josh Widdicombe, whether he’s being playfully roasted on Radio X or headlining sold-out shows, his ability to take a joke—and deliver one—remains as sharp as ever.
