Josh Widdicombe granted retrospective planning permission

Comedian Josh Widdicombe has been granted retrospective planning permission for renovations at his Grade II listed home in Exeter, a week after being announced as a new co-host of BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing. Exeter City Council approved the application under delegated powers after no objections were received.

The work at the 19th-century Italianate villa, which was purchased last summer, had begun without the required listed building consent. In a retrospective application submitted in the name of Widdicombe's wife, Rose Hanson, their agent stated it was "regrettable" but confirmed all work was immediately paused when the discrepancy came to light. The agent added there was no reason consent would not have been granted if applied for correctly at the outset.

The approved plans involve internal alterations, including reopening a historic doorway on the ground floor that had been blocked with 20th-century studwork. On the first floor, adjustments will be made to partitions in the master suite, and an awkwardly shaped bathroom will be rebuilt. A new back door will also be added to a modern extension. Planning officials concluded the impacts of the proposals were "largely...