Rylan Clark's salsa performance with Amy Dowden on BBC Children in Need 2026 drew immediate calls from viewers for him to appear on the main Strictly Come Dancing show.
The dance, part of Friday night's fundraising broadcast on BBC One, saw the presenter pair up with the Strictly professional. Dowden took to social media afterwards to praise Clark, writing: "What an honour to dance with Rylan for Children in Need!"
She added: "A show I grew up watching and one that has always been so special and important to me. Rylan, you were amazing! Those hips. Absolutely brilliant!" Dowden also thanked the other couples who took part and encouraged support for the charity, saying: "Every little bit helps make a difference to the lives of children who need it most."
Viewers call for a Strictly main show spot
On X, the performance became a talking point among viewers. One person posted: "I would love to see Rylan and Amy dance together on the Strictly main show. Rylan showing his dance moves there."
Another wrote: "Rylan was very good. We always suspected he could dance. Loved that." A further supporter said: "They should definitely get Rylan as a celebrity on a future series of Strictly. He did so well with that dance."
Other messages included "Get Rylan on Strictly immediately" and "Can we all agree that we need Rylan on the main series of Strictly? Loved this salsa with Amy dedicated to his mam Linda."
Clark's earlier Strictly comments
In May, Clark said "it wasn't my time" in a statement after Strictly Come Dancing announced its new hosts. In an Instagram post, he wrote: "Just wanted to say it was reported I was in 'The Race' for Strictly. The biggest congrats to Johannes and Josh. You're all going to have the best time. Made up for you."
He added: "This wasn't my time sadly but I'm extremely grateful to even have been considered. I'm taking the news really well (see next slide) but genuinely looking forward to the new series with you three x." The post was accompanied by a meme of Clark in tears, taken from his 2012 X Factor appearance when he cried happy tears to mentor Nicole Scherzinger.
Alex Jones, Rylan Clark, Mel Giedroyc, Tyler West and Sara Cox are presenting the night of fundraising on BBC One. Children in Need airs from 7pm until 10pm.
