Sara Cox has revealed she didn't actually want the presenting job on Strictly Come Dancing, admitting the issue to new host Emma Willis during a chat on her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
In May, the BBC announced that Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and dancer Johannes Radebe would be the new hosts of Strictly when it returns this September, replacing long-time stars Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Covert audition process
Emma described the audition process as the "most cloak and dagger" thing she'd ever been part of, having been picked up by car without being told where she was going or with whom she'd be screen-testing. Organisers had reportedly even "made up a fake TV show" for the taxi company to avoid leaks.
Speaking on the Sara Cox Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 this week (August 21), Emma sat down with her husband and Love Is Blind UK co-host, Matt Willis, for a chat with Sara, who was another contender for the role.
Sara's confession
As she explained why she'd been nervous to audition for Strictly, Sara dropped the bombshell that she didn't actually want the job. She admitted that having just landed her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show role, she wasn't sure about taking on another big programme.
The star said: "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."
Sara disclosed that she was one of the contenders for the job back in May. Another hopeful was Rylan Clark, who offered the "biggest congrats" to Emma and "equal congrats" to Johannes and Josh.
Rylan added: "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."
Secret destination auditions
Sara also shed light on the auditions during a chat with Woman and Home, recalling: "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 explain that the process was all "hush-hush" and then compared the experience to the "Crystal Maze interactive game". Despite this, she also added that the auditions were "really great fun".
