Comedian Alan Carr has dismissed speculation that he is being lined up to present Strictly Come Dancing, stating he does not "love it enough" to take on the role. The 49-year-old Chatty Man host was rumoured to be in discussions with producers about fronting the forthcoming series of the popular BBC dance show following the departure of long-standing presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman last December.
The mounting speculation surrounding the potential presenting role emerged following Carr's popularity boom last autumn, after his appearance in the BBC's hugely successful debut series of The Celebrity Traitors. Speaking to The Telegraph, Carr said: "I didn't turn it down, I was just clumped with everyone and had to say: 'No, don't put me in the mix.' I love watching Strictly, but I don't love it enough."
Carr added: "People are always moaning there aren't new, fresh faces on TV. Well, wouldn't it be amazing to give it to a young person who absolutely adores Strictly and dancing? If I rock up on it, they'll go: 'Oh, here he is again.' Why waste it on me? I don't really know the dances. I'd be like: 'Oh here they go again, that dance with the legs.'"
The entertainer also reflected on his "renaissance" in popularity following his appearance on The Traitors' celebrity spin-off, which attracted millions of viewers to the gripping finale as he claimed victory over historian David Olusoga and actor Nick Mohammed. Carr said: "I know. People are kind of interested in me. They'll say: 'Oh, Alan Carr's quite funny?' I tell them: 'I've been around for 25 years! How dare you.' But yes, there seems to be a renaissance in me, which is really nice."
When questioned about nearing "national treasure" status, he told the publication: "Oh, I don't want to be. I want to be a regional trinket. Everyone's a national treasure now, I'm sick of it. We should have only five, and it's one in, one out." Carr subsequently named Sir David Attenborough, Dame Mary Berry, Nigel Havers, Richard Madeley and Alison Hammond as his five genuine national treasures.
