TV Insider Richard Osman Brands Strictly Hosting Rumours 'Nonsense'
Richard Osman, the former creative director of Endemol UK and creator of Pointless, has firmly dismissed widespread rumours that comedians Alan Carr and Amanda Holden were offered the coveted co-hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking on his popular podcast The Rest is Entertainment, Osman labelled the claims as complete "nonsense," insisting the position was never formally offered to the duo.
Claims of Rejected Offers Firmly Denied
"It's nonsense. Of course, they didn't [turn it down]. It was never offered to them," Osman stated unequivocally. He expressed high confidence that the hosting job, one of the most discussed vacancies in British television, has not yet been offered to anyone. "I would be fairly confident in saying that has not yet been offered to anybody. I mean, it will be in the next month or so," he added, suggesting formal decisions are still pending.
This contradicts public statements made by Alan Carr, 49, and Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, 54. Last week, during an appearance on Jessie and Lennie Ware's Table Manners podcast, the pair claimed the BBC had approached them to replace the departing long-time hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. "We said no ages ago," declared Carr, who later elaborated during a Q&A for his new Channel 4 show Secret Genius that he simply doesn't love the show enough to take on such a major presenting commitment.
Casual Enquiries Versus Formal Offers
Osman, whose extensive production credits include shows like Big Brother and Deal or No Deal, suggested any discussions between the BBC and the pair were likely far more informal than has been portrayed. He hypothesised that an agent may have made a casual enquiry. "Or the agent has said, 'would you consider Alan,' and they said, 'we're not not considering Alan.' But no, no one sat in a room with Alan and Amanda and said, 'would you two like to present Strictly,'" he explained, drawing a clear distinction between preliminary soundings and a concrete job offer.
Speculation Abounds as Decision Nears
The hosting role became a major topic following the shock announcement in October 2025 that the beloved duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman would be stepping down after more than a decade together. Their final live show was the Series 23 finale in December. Osman revealed that the speculation is rife, even recounting being told with "absolute certainty" by another insider that presenters Bradley Walsh and Alex Jones were set to host. "I was told yesterday... 'It's amazing that Bradley Walsh and Alex Jones are hosting Strictly.' And I was like, I don't think they are," he said.
He emphasised that the final decision is still very much open. "They have not decided who's going to host Strictly. And that's a big old show. It's a big old commitment," Osman noted, adding that the ideal candidate would likely be someone with a genuine passion for the programme. "It has to be somebody who loves that show, probably someone who's been involved in that show to some extent. You can have a wild card, but my understanding is no one's in, no one's out... everything is still on the table."
Alan Carr's Candid Reasons for Declining Interest
For his part, Alan Carr has been candid about why he is not interested in the role, despite frequent approaches from the show. "They asked me all the time to be on it and stuff," he admitted. Carr believes the show deserves a presenter who is a genuine superfan. "I just think, wouldn’t it be great to get someone fresh, someone new. That show is so adored and so loved. You want someone in there who’s like, 'Yeah, this Paso Doble was...'. I don’t give a s**t. Give it to someone else, yeah."
He elaborated on his lack of deep affection for the format, stating, "I just think I like watching the show, I don't love it. I think it would be better for someone who really, really loves it, you know." Carr remains exceptionally busy, currently involved in eight different television projects, including the newly-announced Disney+ series Castle Man. Osman remarked on this prolific output, noting the changed landscape of television viewing that allows such a schedule.
A Wide-Open Field for a Coveted Role
With the decision imminent, the rumour mill continues to turn. Other names frequently mentioned as potential successors include former It Takes Two hosts Rylan Clark and Zoe Ball, presenter Holly Willoughby, and former Strictly professional dancer Oti Mabuse. Meanwhile, The Chase host Bradley Walsh has publicly insisted the role would "absolutely ruin my weekend," preferring to watch the show as a fan with a pint in hand.
The search for the new faces of Strictly Come Dancing remains one of the most captivating stories in UK entertainment, with insiders like Richard Osman working to separate fact from rampant fiction as the BBC prepares to make its final choice.
