Strictly Champion Carlos Gu Praises Claudia Winkleman in Three Words
Strictly Come Dancing champion Carlos Gu has summed up Claudia Winkleman with three simple words while firmly ruling out any move into hosting the popular BBC show. The professional dancer, who soared to victory alongside footballer Karen Carney during last year's series, shared his thoughts on the former hosts during an appearance on Best magazine's Suddenly Single podcast.
Carlos Gu's Admiration for the Iconic Presenters
'Very witty, very cool,' Carlos said of Claudia Winkleman, adding significant praise for both former hosts. 'I love Claudia, and Tess. Both of them are just iconic. I'm obsessed about Claudia too personally, love her.' The champion dancer elaborated further on what makes Claudia particularly special, noting her powerful presence and self-awareness.
Carlos explained: 'She's a woman who knows her value, and she knows everything about herself and she's so confident with it, which is so powerful, like Tess is too.' This heartfelt tribute comes as speculation continues to grow about who will replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly after they stepped back from the show following the most recent series that concluded last December.
No Hosting Ambitions for the Born Performer
When directly asked if he would ever consider taking over as host of Strictly Come Dancing, Carlos quickly dismissed the possibility with absolute certainty. The dancer made it clear that his destiny lies elsewhere in the entertainment world.
'No, never, because I don't think... I think I'm a born performer. I would die on stage. I'm that kind of person,' Carlos declared emphatically. He elaborated on his reasoning, explaining that hosting simply wouldn't align with his natural talents and passions.
'I don't believe I could ever be a presenter. I don't think it would bring the best out of me,' Carlos continued. 'Because I purely believe that I'm a performer, I should perform on stage and live and just perform until the day I die.'
The Search for New Strictly Hosts Intensifies
Meanwhile, Strictly Come Dancing producers are reportedly considering significant changes to the presenting lineup. According to recent reports, bosses are eyeing a new male co-host as part of a refreshed presenting trio, potentially returning to a format that features both male and female main hosts similar to the Bruce Forsyth era.
The shortlist has reportedly been narrowed down to three television favourites:
- Bradley Walsh, whose style reportedly reminds producers of Bruce Forsyth
- Rylan Clark, who has a massive fanbase and previously hosted Strictly spin-off It Takes Two
- Current professional dancer Johannes Radebe, who offers direct expertise from the show
Sources claim producers behind Strictly Come Dancing are planning to screen test their preferred candidates in the coming weeks. The successful male presenter would reportedly front the BBC One show alongside a female host, creating a new dynamic for the popular dancing competition.
Female Host Contenders Emerge
On the female side, Emma Willis and Zoe Ball are reportedly strongly being considered for one of the hosting spots by Strictly bosses. Emma, 49, recently took over from Zoe, 55, on BBC Radio 2 after Zoe stepped down from the afternoon slot after just seven months.
Zoe Ball has expressed interest in the role, having previously hosted Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two until 2021. She has said she would 'love' to take on the hosting job, adding another dimension to the ongoing speculation.
A source revealed: 'It's a straight shoot-out between Zoe, who is the front-runner, and Emma. Only one will get it, not both.' The source added that senior executives want a traditional presenter working alongside a more left-field person, potentially a female stand-up comedian.
'It’s felt the humour Claudia brought to the show, particularly in her "Claudatorium", needs to carry on,' the source explained to The Sun on Sunday, highlighting the importance of maintaining the show's unique personality and entertainment value.
As the search continues for new hosts to replace the iconic Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, Carlos Gu's heartfelt tribute serves as a reminder of the significant impact the former presenters had on the show and its dedicated fanbase.
