The search for new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing is heating up, with former England footballer Alex Scott emerging as a surprise contender. The 41-year-old, who appeared on the show in 2019, has been given 4/1 odds by bookmakers to replace either Tess Daly or Claudia Winkleman, who are both leaving at the end of the current series.
Scott, who won 140 caps for England and played for Arsenal, Birmingham City and the Boston Breakers, has built a successful broadcasting career since retiring in 2018. She has fronted shows including Football Focus, Match of the Day and The One Show, as well as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
However, her time on Football Focus was not without controversy. In 2023, she clashed with her predecessor Dan Walker after he commented on the show's declining viewing figures. The pair exchanged barbs on social media, with Scott posting a GIF reading 'interesting' and later sharing a picture of the show's award. Reports claimed the spat continued at a charity event, though they reportedly ended on amicable terms.
Other frontrunners for the Strictly presenting roles include Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Bradley Walsh, Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Roman Kemp. Scott's links to the show come as she is also reportedly in talks to join the cast of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, following in the footsteps of former England teammate Jill Scott.
