Alison Hammond has dramatically reversed her previous position on rejecting the coveted hosting role for Strictly Come Dancing, now insisting she would be "crazy" to decline such an opportunity. The beloved BBC dance show has been searching for new presenters since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman departed last year, sparking widespread speculation about their replacements.
Alison Hammond's Clarification on Strictly Come Dancing Role
Alison Hammond, the 51-year-old star of This Morning and The Great British Bake Off, has long been rumoured as a potential candidate to join the Strictly Come Dancing team. Previously, she distanced herself from the role, citing a busy schedule with existing television projects. In an interview with Radio Times, Hammond stated, "I'm so busy babes, that I'm not sure it's going to happen. It's unrealistic. I would have loved to have done it – anybody that gets it, they're going to land the perfect job. But I'm so happy with everything I've got. What would I drop, to do Strictly?"
New Interview Reveals Change of Heart
However, in a recent conversation with Metro, Hammond clarified her stance, revealing a significant shift in perspective. She explained, "Do you think I would turn down Strictly if Strictly came along? Who would turn down Strictly! They'd be absolutely crazy." Hammond elaborated on her earlier comments, saying, "I was trying to back them off because ultimately everyone keeps putting my name in the mix and they're ruining my chances of even getting on to Strictly, d'you know what I mean? You all need to stop talking about it because I need to get in."
She concluded emphatically, "I'm not too busy, I'm fitter than I've ever been before. I can do Strictly. I can do it all. All these people saying: 'I'm too busy, and I can't do it…', I could do Strictly. Let's put that on the record."
Bradley Walsh Emerges as Frontrunner for Strictly Hosting Role
Meanwhile, Bradley Walsh has become a leading contender for the new host of Strictly Come Dancing. This development follows reports that filming for The Chase, which Walsh has presented since 2009, has been halted for "at least a year." The 65-year-old presenter is reportedly a favourite among producers for the BBC dancing show.
Scheduling Dilemma for Bradley Walsh
Television insiders suggest Walsh could face a significant dilemma, as he currently hosts another major Saturday night programme, Gladiators, alongside his son Barney. The nineties reboot, launched in 2024, has become an instant ratings hit, spanning three series, two celebrity versions, and a CBBC spin-off. Many Gladiators contestants have made appearances on shows like Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Sewing Bee.
If Walsh were to secure the Strictly job, he might need to step away from Gladiators, which has been instrumental in launching his son's presenting career. Barney Walsh began his career in acting roles, including Law & Order: UK and Doctors, before working with his father on ITV's Breaking Dad and landing the primetime Gladiators role.
Family and Career Considerations
A source told The Sun, "Bradley is hugely ambitious and hard-working and hosting Strictly was a job he was born to do. But family is hugely important to him. He is very close to Barney and has helped him throughout his career. His son is currently enjoying having the biggest job of his life so far, but it’s unlikely the Beeb would let his dad host two big Saturday night shows."
The source added, "Producers want stars to be synonymous with those shows, and doing two big entertainment blockbusters on the BBC doesn’t sit well with channel chiefs, so does Bradley stay on Gladiators and secure his son’s future, or go for the job of a lifetime — and jeopardise his son’s future?"
Bradley Walsh's Packed Schedule
Even with The Chase taking a filming break, Walsh maintains an action-packed schedule. He hosts Blankety Blank and Egypt’s Cosmic Code for Sky History. Filming for The Chase typically requires him to record three episodes daily for 50 days each year, leading him to joke that he "virtually lives at the studios." Daily Mail has reached out to Bradley Walsh's representatives and the BBC for comment on these developments.
