In a surprising revelation that will disappoint many fans, television personalities Alan Carr and Amanda Holden have disclosed they were offered one of the most coveted roles in British broadcasting – the chance to become the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing.
The Podcast Confirmation
The celebrity duo made this unexpected announcement during a recent appearance on the popular podcast Table Manners, hosted by Jessie and Lennie Ware. The conversation took an intriguing turn when Lennie Ware posed a direct question to the pair about the persistent rumours surrounding their potential involvement with the BBC's flagship dance competition.
"No, We Said No Ages Ago"
Alan Carr, the 49-year-old comedian and recent Celebrity Traitors winner, responded with unambiguous clarity when asked whether they would be presenting Strictly together. His straightforward reply – "No, we said no ages ago" – confirmed what many had suspected but hadn't heard directly from the potential presenters themselves.
Amanda Holden, the 54-year-old Britain's Got Talent judge who has developed a strong professional partnership with Carr through their joint BBC series, was part of this definitive rejection. Their chemistry and popularity as a television duo had made them natural candidates in the eyes of BBC executives seeking to fill the considerable shoes left by departing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
A Missed Opportunity for Strictly Fans
The revelation comes amid widespread speculation about who will take over the hosting duties on one of the UK's most beloved television programmes. Strictly Come Dancing has maintained its position as a Saturday night institution for nearly two decades, with its presentation team becoming almost as iconic as the dancing celebrities and professional partners.
Carr and Holden's decision to decline what many would consider a career-defining opportunity represents a significant development in the ongoing search for new Strictly presenters. Their growing popularity as a television partnership, demonstrated through their successful collaborative projects for the BBC, had positioned them as frontrunners in the minds of both industry insiders and dedicated viewers.
The Future of Strictly Presentation
With this confirmation that Carr and Holden will not be taking the helm, the search for Daly and Winkleman's replacements continues. The BBC now faces the challenging task of identifying alternative presenting talent capable of maintaining the programme's unique blend of glamour, warmth, and occasional gentle humour that has become synonymous with the Strictly brand.
The decision by these two established television personalities to turn down such a prominent role underscores the careful consideration that goes into career moves within the competitive landscape of British broadcasting. While fans may be disappointed by this development, it ensures that speculation and anticipation will continue to build around who will eventually step into those famous Strictly shoes.
