Christine Lampard, the television presenter and wife of former footballer Frank Lampard, has reportedly become the leading candidate to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as the host of Strictly Come Dancing. The 46-year-old's availability has increased following significant changes at ITV, where Lorraine Kelly's chat show has been reduced to a half-hour daily slot and its annual episode count cut.
An insider told the Daily Mail: 'She has a huge fanbase from her years fronting breakfast TV and is a pro at handling live TV, which is no mean feat. Producers love the idea of casting a presenter who has previously taken part in the show as a contestant, as it has worked really well in the past on spin-off show It Takes Two.' Lampard competed on Strictly in 2008, partnered with Matthew Cutler.
The speculation follows the surprise departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman in October. The duo, who had hosted the show since 2004 and 2010 respectively, announced they would leave before the end of 2025, stating: 'We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.'
Other potential replacements include Alex Jones, Rob Rinder, Rylan Clark, and Alison Hammond. The new series is expected to return in August, with cast reveals anticipated weeks earlier. Representatives for Christine Lampard and Strictly Come Dancing have been approached for comment.
