Strictly Come Dancing Host Shake-up: Bradley Walsh Emerges as Frontrunner
Television personality Bradley Walsh has intensified speculation that he's poised to become the new face of Strictly Come Dancing after making an unexpected appearance on the show's set during the weekend. The 65-year-old star, currently filming The Chase at neighbouring Elstree Studios, took advantage of a break in recording to visit the Strictly production team.
Set Visit Fuels Presenter Rumours
During his surprise visit on Saturday, Walsh reportedly charmed the Strictly crew, with head dressmaker Theresa Hewlett describing him as "lovely" in a social media post. She shared a photograph of the beaming presenter alongside Strictly staff members, captioning the image: "The Chase is filmed next door and he popped in to say hi. What a lovely man Bradley Walsh is!"
The informal visit comes amid reports that BBC executives are in final talks with Walsh to replace departing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The iconic female presenting duo announced their emotional departure last month via social media after fronting the show together since 2014.
BBC's New Presenting Dream Team
Industry insiders suggest that BBC producers envision Walsh partnering with The One Show's Alex Jones, 48, to create a new hosting partnership that would echo the classic Bruce Forsyth era. A source revealed to The Sun: "Bradley's appearance in the studio has certainly set tongues wagging. Bosses are keen for Bradley to take over. He is a real pro and has brilliant experience hosting live shows."
The source added that producers need a safe pair of hands to steady the ship following the major presenter shake-up, noting that Walsh would naturally be paired with a female co-host as part of the traditional duo format.
Both presenters bring substantial experience to the potential roles. Jones has co-hosted The One Show since 2010, while Walsh fronts ITV's The Chase and co-hosts the BBC's revived Gladiators alongside his son Barney. Television insiders indicate that discussions are already underway for the pair to assume hosting duties in 2026.
Strictly's New Era Approaches
Daly and Winkleman will make their final Strictly appearance in the pre-recorded Christmas special airing on Christmas Day. Tess Daly has been part of all 21 series of the BBC juggernaut, stepping up as main host in 2014 to replace Bruce Forsyth. Claudia Winkleman joined the main show the same year, having previously hosted the BBC2 spin-off It Takes Two since 2004.
An industry insider confirmed that while "nothing is set in stone yet", discussions involving Walsh and Jones have been "moving in a really positive direction". The source highlighted that "Bradley brings the wisecracks, and Alex is the calm head who knows how to handle live situations after 15 years of co-hosting The One Show."
Alex Jones also brings personal Strictly experience to the role, having competed in the 2011 series where she reached the semi-finals with professional partner James Jordan before being eliminated in fifth place.
The potential appointment of Bradley Walsh would represent a nostalgic nod to the show's original host Bruce Forsyth, combining old-school showbiz quality with contemporary appeal that resonates across generations.
