Comedian Ellie Taylor is reportedly returning to the Strictly dance floor as the new presenter of spin-off programme It Takes Two. The 42-year-old, known for stand-up, panel shows such as Mock the Week and roles including Ted Lasso, finished seventh on Strictly in 2022.
Taylor has reportedly been hired for the role after negotiations with BBC bosses, following the reported exits of previous presenters Janette Manrara and Fleur East.
Hailed as a hit with viewers and producers
A source told The Sun: "Ellie was hugely popular with viewers when she appeared as a contestant on Strictly in 2022, and her infectious personality was also a hit with the senior production team."
The source added: "She very much featured in the discussions when they were looking to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on the main show, and although she didn't get that job, she remained in the executive team's thoughts. They were very keen to get her on It Takes Two which they felt was too boring and needed a major revamp. So she's been hired for the It Takes Two hosting job."
When approached for comment, a Strictly spokesperson told Reach: "We don't comment on speculation."
New presenting line-up
During her Strictly stint, Taylor was paired with Johannes Radebe, who has been confirmed as one of the show's new presenters, reports Wales Online. Emma Willis and comedian Josh Widdicombe have also secured hosting duties on the programme.
The news follows the departure of long-serving presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who stepped down last year. They announced their exit on Instagram with a joint statement.
Winkleman and Daly's farewell
The statement read: "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. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They're the most brilliant team and we'll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last "keep dancing" but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza. Tess and Claud."
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in September 2026.
