Strictly Come Dancing professional Katya Jones has publicly endorsed her co-star to take over the show's coveted hosting roles following the imminent departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
The End of an Era
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry earlier this year when they announced their decision to leave the beloved BBC programme after decades at the helm. The presenting duo, who made a pact to depart together, will bow out following the current series and the upcoming Christmas special.
In an emotional statement, Tess described the show as feeling "like having a third child, a second family" since her first appearance in 2004. Claudia echoed these sentiments, stating her belief that "it's best to leave a party before you're fully ready to go" and paying tribute to her co-host as "funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend."
Katya's Perfect Pick
With numerous names being suggested for the high-profile position—including Rylan Clark and Holly Willoughby—professional dancer Katya Jones has thrown her support behind a familiar face. During an appearance on ITV's Loose Women, Katya confidently named former professional dancer and current It Takes Two presenter Janette Manrara as the ideal candidate.
"Naturally for me, it's Janette Manrara," Katya declared. "She's done it all - she's done it as a professional, she's presented It Takes Two. She knows what we're feeling - she'd be the perfect Claudia, talking it through with us."
Katya emphasised that Janette's unique understanding of the dancers' experience makes her exceptionally qualified. "When you come up [to the Claudiatorium] and you've just done this amazing dance - or it didn't go well - you want someone who understands," she explained.
Why Katya Prefers the Judge's Table
While backing Janette for the hosting position, Katya firmly ruled herself out of contention for the role. Instead, she revealed her ambition to join the judging panel, drawing on her recent experience judging Dancing with the Stars in Belgium.
"I'd think I'd rather be a judge," she confessed. "I judged Dancing with the Stars in Belgium in the summer and I really thoroughly enjoyed it because I feel what the contestants are going through and how much work goes into it. On Saturday, you see this flawless performance but that was hours and hours and hours of rehearsals."
As Strictly Come Dancing prepares for its biggest presenting shake-up in years, Katya's endorsement adds significant weight to Janette Manrara's credentials. The ballroom world now waits to see who will ultimately take the microphone when Tess and Claudia make their final bow this Christmas.
