Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse has expressed her confidence that the hit BBC show will continue to thrive, even after the departure of its long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Emotional Praise for Iconic Presenters
The 35-year-old dancer, who starred on the programme from 2013 to 2019 and won the glitterball trophy twice, became emotional while discussing the presenters' contribution. Speaking to The Times, Mabuse stated: 'I love Strictly. I wouldn't be sitting here without that show.' She emphasised the programme's public ownership, adding: 'Strictly belongs to the people, and as long as the people still love it, it will go on for years.'
She reserved special praise for Daly and Winkleman, saying: 'Claudia and Tess are… I get emotional when I talk about it, because they are just so brilliant.' Mabuse highlighted the unseen pressure Daly faces during the live broadcasts, noting: 'Nobody really sees the work Tess has to do — that show's live, she's making sure it's not running over.'
New Role Brings Fresh Perspective
Mabuse's recent appointment as head judge on Dancing With The Stars Ireland, the Irish version of Strictly, has given her a new appreciation for the hosts' skills. She revealed that producers now instruct her to keep her comments 'snappy', offering insight into the tight timings and pressure the main presenters manage seamlessly.
Despite the significant challenge of replacing the iconic duo, Mabuse trusts the production team implicitly. 'The Strictly producers will do a 'good job' in selecting the next hosts,' she asserted, 'because they 'know the show better than any of us'.'
The 'Golden Ten' Shortlist Revealed
Her comments come just a day after reports that BBC executives have compiled a 'Golden Ten' shortlist of potential replacements. According to the Daily Mail, the frontrunners include popular presenters such as Bradley Walsh, Alex Jones, and Alan Carr.
Insiders claim the selection process will be rigorous, with contenders undergoing a series of partner-swap chemistry tests to find the perfect on-screen match. A source told The Sun: 'Replacing Claudia and Tess is a mammoth task, but the BBC have whittled down the talent to ten people.'
The reported full shortlist includes:
- Bradley Walsh
- Alex Jones
- Alan Carr
- Rylan Clark
- Rob Rinder
- Zoe Ball
- Holly Willoughby
- Amanda Holden
- Alison Hammond
- Angela Scanlon
The stars will reportedly be tested in various pairings—including two women, two men, or a mixed partnership—as bosses look to 'mix things up' and find a fresh dynamic for the show. The BBC has been contacted for comment regarding the selection process.
