Sara Cox has admitted she feared she would be hospitalised after auditioning to host Strictly Come Dancing, revealing she didn't actually want the job.
The BBC Radio 2 presenter was one of the names in the running when the presenting role was being filled back in May. However, the BBC ultimately opted for a three-person line-up featuring Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and dancer Johannes Radebe.
Audition after dream job offer
Speaking during an August 21 guest spot on BBC Radio 2, Emma Willis addressed the secretive audition process, branding it the "most cloak and dagger" experience she'd ever encountered. She joined her husband and Love Is Blind co-host Matt Willis on Sara Cox's breakfast show for an interview.
While explaining her apprehension about the Strictly audition, Sara made the surprising admission that she hadn't actually wanted the job, as she was already busy preparing for her new role on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
The broadcaster stated: "Well, I was nervous cos I just got this gig, so I thought, I can't...I don't really want that one as well. I'll be hospitalised! But I've still gotta go and have a go. It was like cosplay, like, being a Strictly presenter for a morning. It was great fun."
Secret destination auditions
Sara also provided insight into the audition process during an interview with Woman and Home, remembering: "I tried out for Strictly. And I will say I tried out for it two days after I got offered my number one, all-time, dream job of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. So I was like, 'Oh, I'll go along and try for Strictly as well, why not, and what next? News at Ten?' So I went along, and it was the most gorgeous experience. I got into a car that was taking me to a secret destination."
Sara went on to say everything was kept under wraps, comparing the whole experience to a "Crystal Maze" interactive game — though she stressed the auditions were "really great fun".
Reaction from fellow contenders
In 2025, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they were leaving Strictly Come Dancing, saying they'd always intended to bow out together and that it felt "like the right time". Their exit immediately fuelled speculation over who might take over.
A host of names were tipped as potential replacements — including Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, Alan Carr, Bradley Walsh, Roman Kemp and Rylan Clark. Fellow contender Rylan extended the "biggest congrats" to Emma and "equal congrats" to Johannes and Josh.
Rylan continued: "This wasn't my time sadly, but am extremely grateful to even have been considered. I'm taking the news really well (next slide) but genuinely looking forward to the new series with you three."
