Rylan Clark has emerged as a frontrunner to take over as host of Strictly Come Dancing, according to reports. The 37-year-old presenter, who previously hosted the spin-off It Takes Two, is among the candidates being considered to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left the show in December.
Clark is said to have been invited to audition for chemistry tests with other potential hosts, including Irish presenter and former Strictly contestant Angela Scanlon, 42. Sources claim he faces further screen tests in two weeks' time, allowing BBC bosses to assess his chemistry with other possible presenters.
An insider told the Mail: “Rylan has a long-standing association with the show, and Angela has been a contestant. But the main thing is they'd be a totally new pairing – no baggage, no former shows, uniquely Strictly.” The source added that it was important to pick the right candidate if the BBC did not stick to an all-female hosting duo, noting that Clark “absolutely loves the show and the viewers already love him”.
Clark fronted It Takes Two between 2019 and 2023, and also hosts his own show on Radio 2 and presents on ITV's This Morning. Other high-profile names reportedly in the running include past winners Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton, Fleur East, Janette Manrara, and Roman Kemp.
Daly and Winkleman announced their departure from Strictly after 21 years in a joint statement on Instagram. Daly has hosted the show since its launch in 2004, while Winkleman became co-host in 2014. The BBC has yet to confirm the new presenting line-up.
