There’s no doubt whoever replaces Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly is going to have big shoes to fill.
Since taking over the reigns from Bruce Forsyth in 2014, the two women have served as the face of the glitzy show, making history as the BBC’s first female presenting duo.
The news of their departure has triggered huge shock waves across the nation with fans and the show’s judges and professional dancers all sending in their tributes to the pair.
Some of the top names in telly have had their hat thrown into the ring for the primetime gig, which will begin at the start of the next series in 2026. But who is in the pipeline to replace them?
Hannah Waddingham’s is a new big name to have been thrown into the ring, as she joins the likes of Rylan Clark and Zoe Ball who are already acquainted with the show.
Will the BBC favour another all-female line up with the return of Mel and Sue? Or will it be a chance for power couple Emma Willis and her husband Matt to take the reigns?
Who will be the next Strictly hosts? The iconic pairings predicted to take to the dancefloor after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announce their departure
Hannah Waddingham (3-1)
She is no stranger to the glitzy world of dance after starting out in the London theatre scene in her early 20s.
However it was only five years ago that Hannah got her big break when she bagged the role of Richmond FC owner Rebecca Welton in the hit Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso – which has earned her two Emmys for Best Supporting Actress.
She has since stunned audience and critics alike with her quick wit, old-school glamour and incredible singing voice.
A real showgirl, it seems her star quality would be a perfect addition to the dancefloor, plus she is already friends with judge Anton Du Beke and his wife Hannah.
Back in 2024 it was reported that Hannah had been in talks to compete in the show, with an insider revealing she loves the show – it would just come down to her schedule and whether she could commit.
She is a woman in demand, but could she find a slot to host the show in 2026?
A real showgirl, it seems her star quality would be a perfect addition to the dancefloor, plus she is already friends with judge Anton Du Beke and his wife Hannah (pictured in 2023)
Zoe Ball (3-1)
The TV and radio veteran is one of the biggest names to be tipped as the new host of the BBC dancing competition.
The mother of two would make a natural fit for the gig as she is well acquainted with the show thanks to her old presenting role on its spin-off, It Takes Two.
Zoe, 54, has been a regular fixture on TV and radio since the early 1990s, starting out on CBBC and then as a presenter on The Big Breakfast and Live & Kicking.
In 1997, she made history as the first female host of BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast Show, which she co-hosted with Kevin Greening and later presented solo.
After leaving Radio 1 in 2000, she continued to work across TV and radio, presenting shows like Top of the Pops, It Takes Two, and BBC Radio 2 programmes.
In 2019, Zoe succeeded Chris Evans as host of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, again becoming the first woman to hold that position.
Zoe becoming the presenter or one of the presenters on the show would only add to her already illustrious career in the industry.
She is currently the 3-1 favourite to take on the role after Tess and Claudia leave the show, according to OLBG.
Zoe, 54, has been a regular fixture on TV and radio since the early 1990s, starting out on CBBC and then as a presenter on The Big Breakfast and Live & Kicking (pictured in May)
Rylan Clark and Rob Rinder (4-1)
Rylan’s name is also rising high in the odds, with bookies speculating his shining personality could put him in the running to front the show.
While he has also hosted It Takes Two, beyond this he has also presented a variety of TV shows including Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, Supermarket Sweep, and Ready Steady Cook.
On radio, Rylan has presented shows on BBC Radio 2 and appears regularly on panel shows and reality TV specials.
Jake Ashton, Entertainment Betting Expert at OLBG, commented: ‘Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark offer safe hands and Strictly familiarity, which gives them a strong betting edge early on.
‘But producers could be tempted to shake things up. Hannah Waddingham’s profile is exploding, and punters have quickly picked up on her star power.’
Rylan could also be joined by Rob Rinder after the nation fell in love with their sweet friendship following their travel show Grand Tour which has seen them travel across Italy and India together.
The pair have even won a Bafta for their show proving their chemistry really is award winning.
Rylan could also be joined by Rob Rinder after the nation fell in love with their sweet friendship following their travel show together (pictured in May)
Mel and Sue
Aside from the betting odds, it could be the BBC wish for a well-established double act to take to the floor.
And fans are already speculating that it could, at long last, be the return of Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
The pair became firm favourites with viewers as the hosts of The Great British Bake Off from 2010 until 2016.
They made the decision to quit the tent when the show announced it was moving to Channel 4 due to their loyalties with the BBC.
So what a perfect opportunity for them to reunite as the face of primetime Saturday night TV.
Taking to Twitter fans shared their enthusiasm as they penned: ‘Mel and Sue is the only correct answer.’
‘Totally agree about #GBBO & fabulous Mel and Sue. I might watch #Strictly if they fronted it’;
‘Gutted about Claudia leaving Strictly. I hope Mel and Sue replace her and Tess….they have a great balance of warmth and humour’.
The pair became firm favourites with viewers after the hosts of The Great British Bake Off from 2010 until 2016 (seen in 2025)
Taking to Twitter fans shared their enthusiasm as they penned: ‘Mel and Sue is the only correct answer’
Emma and Matt Willis (8-1)
Husband and wife TV couples have always been popular and in recent years Emma and Matt Willis have proved they are a leading the pack.
The couple, who married in 2008, are the face of Netflix hit Love is Blind UK, coming together to front the show after Emma hosted some of the biggest shows on TV including The Voice and Big Brother.
While Matt is most famous for being a member of boyband Busted, in more recent years, he has followed his wife into the world of television.
In his 2023 BBC documentary Fighting Addiction saw him open up about how alcoholism nearly derailed his now 20-year relationship with Emma.
But Strictly could be a chance for the pair to reach a new audience and showcase the lighter side of their relationship through the feel-good show.
Emma’s odds currently stand at 8/1 and the star even admitted back in 2020 that she would love to take part in the show, admitting dancing is ‘her thing’.
Husband and wife TV couples have always been popular and in recent years Emma and Matt Willis have proved they are a leading the pack
Emma’s odds currently stand at 8/1 and the star even admitted back in 2020 that she would love to take part in the show, admitting dancing is ‘her thing’
Alan Carr and Amanda Holden
He is currently the nation’s number one traitor after taking part in the first UK series of The Celebrity Traitors.
So it is no wonder he is a name on everyone’s lips to replace Claudia and Tess.
No stranger to presenting, Alan used to have his own Chatty Man talk show and will no doubt provide the laughs and help the celebrity contestants feel at ease.
In terms of his partner in crime, the star currently co-hosts the BBC series Amanda & Alan’s Spanish Job with his good pal Amanda Holden.
No stranger to primetime TV as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, could Amanda swap the judging for the presenter role and take over the Clauditorium?
However it isn’t just Amanda who fans have speculated could join Alan on the show with others suggesting he could pair up with Paloma Faith or even Joe Marler.
Alan committed the ultimate betrayal when he murdered the singer in the first killing of the series, but perhaps they could put their differences aside on the Strictly ballroom.
Fans wrote: ‘Alan Carr HAS to be involved in at least the discussion for who could present Strictly Come Dancing.’
‘Suggested Strictly hosts, Alan Carr and Paloma Faith. Paloma does the Claudia role’;
‘Hear me out. Alan Carr and Joe Marler to be the new hosts of Strictly.’
In terms of his partner in crime, the star currently co-hosts the BBC series Amanda & Alan’s Spanish Job with his good pal Amanda Holden
However it isn’t just Amanda who fans have speculated could join Alan on the show with others suggesting he could pair up with Paloma Faith or even Joe Marler
The longstanding presenting duo’s surprise departure was confirmed on Thursday morning on their respective social media platforms, which both included a video of the pair announcing their decision to step down.
It comes after Claudia, 53, who also hosts BBC series The Traitors and spin-off Celebrity Traitors, and Tess, 56, sat side by side in the clip that confirmed their exit.
Speaking to the camera, Claudia began: ‘There have been some rumblings and we want you to hear this from us.’
Tess chimed in: ‘We have news, after 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton.’
‘The very sparkly baton!’ Claudia laughed, before turning to her co-star and pal to add: ‘You’ve been here since the beginning.’
Tess replied, pointing to Claudia: ‘With Bruce, lovely Bruce [Forsyth], and that was over two decades ago but a lot of the time has been with you.
‘It’s been a huge part of our lives since our children were literally babes in arms, and now they’re adults, and I think genuinely we have cherished every second.’
Claudia continued: ‘We have, we’re so lucky to have been part of this amazing show and we just want to thank the Strictly team, because Strictly is the people who make it.’
The duo penned under the video: ‘We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.
‘We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show.
‘They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last “keep dancing” but we will continue to say it to each other.
‘Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.’
In her own statement, Tess added: ‘After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.
It comes after Claudia, 53, who also hosts BBC series The Traitors and spin-off Celebrity Traitors, and Tess, 56, sat side by side in the clip that confirmed their exit
The presenting pair penned an emotional message to their fans under the clip
Tess previously presented the BBC One show alongside Bruce Forsyth before Claudia joined her as a permanent co-host in 2014
‘It’s hard to put it into words what this show has meant to me, so here goes…
‘Strictly has been more than just a television programme, it’s felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that first show back in 2004.
‘I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring.
‘Strictly has always been about joy, celebration, and bringing people together, and I’m so proud to have played a small part in something that continues to mean so much to so many.
‘I have always been in awe of our superbly talented professional dancers, our magnificent judges, and all the celebrities who have taken part.
‘I absolutely adore our brilliant crew, every single member of the Strictly team who have worked so tirelessly to make this show what it is.
‘Thank you for the laughter, the friendship, the countless memories over all these years. You’ve filled my heart in ways I’ll never forget. I’ll miss you all so much.
‘And to you, the viewers at home, the biggest thank you of all, thank you for welcoming us into your homes for over two decades.
‘To my beloved Claud, what an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you. You’re one of a kind, and I’ll treasure every giggle, every live show, and every backstage moment we’ve shared.
‘This isn’t a goodbye to glitter, sequins or Saturday night sparkle (I could never say goodbye to those!). Strictly will forever hold a special place in my heart, but it does feel like the right time to hand over the reins.’
Claudia went on to post a series of behind-the-scenes snaps of her and Tess working together on the show as she too paid tribute to her time on the series.
She penned: ‘It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career.
‘From working on It Takes Two in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for.
Claudia and Tess were seen sitting side by side in the clip that confirmed their departure, as they thanked the show’s crew and its viewers as home
The duo explained to fans of the BBC One series they ‘were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time’ to ‘pass the baton’
‘I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to cohosting on Saturday nights.
‘Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it.
‘The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives – all utterly amazing.
‘I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights.
‘As for Tess – I’m so so lucky I got to stand next to you. You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.’
Despite Claudia being seen as the sidekick for the past 11 years, the presenter’s stock has rocketed since enjoying success on fellow BBC1 show The Traitors, plus new spin-off Celebrity Traitors, and according to some, is keen to explore opportunities away from Strictly.
Indeed, she has been heavily linked with a switch to ITV, which would offer significantly more money than her reported £150,000 a year deal to front Strictly with her co-host.
Having made her intentions clear to Tess, the former model decided to remain loyal to their pact of leaving together, believing she had “served her time” on the show.
In recent years, Tess has made several hints about passing on the baton in regards to being main host, while Claudia revealed she encountered awkward conversations with Strictly bosses about the show’s clashes with family life, namely taking her son to university to kickstart his first year away from home.
A show insider told the Daily Mail: ‘Claudia has been around the block for a long time but since The Traitors, she’s moved up a level and is more in-demand than ever.
‘There’s been talk of some very interesting projects which she simply can’t commit to because of Strictly, as it takes up a third of the year, so she felt that to maximise her ambition, she had to leave Strictly.
‘Leaving the show has been on Tess’s mind for a few years but Claudia leaning towards leaving made it an easier decision.’
The Daily Mail’s Katie Hind and Alison Boshoff reveal more exclusive details about the real reason behind their exit in the Mail+ article. Read it here.
The insider added: ‘They always had a pact to leave together and they wanted to adhere to that. They come as a pair, when it comes to Strictly, so going out together made perfect sense.’
