Sian Welby Emerges as Contender for Strictly Come Dancing Hosting Role
Television presenter Sian Welby is reportedly under consideration to become one of the new hosts on the BBC's flagship entertainment programme Strictly Come Dancing. The 39-year-old broadcaster could potentially take over from Claudia Winkleman, who departed the show alongside Tess Daly last year after their long-standing tenure.
The Clauditorium Connection
According to industry sources speaking to The Sun, programme executives believe Welby would be particularly well-suited for the 'Clauditorium' segment, where contestants receive their scores from the judges. This crucial part of the show requires quick-witted banter and spontaneous interaction with both contestants and judges.
Sian Welby is best known for presenting the Capital FM breakfast show, where she has built a significant following among younger audiences. She has also demonstrated her television capabilities through multiple guest hosting appearances on ITV's This Morning programme.
A production insider revealed: 'Sian might be less well-known than other names linked with Tess and Claudia's jobs so far, but she's got everything it takes with one special ingredient—a younger audience, thanks to her job on trendy Capital FM.'
The source continued: 'Her live radio experience means she's got that off-the-cuff banter that is needed in the Clauditorium down to a tee. And working on This Morning ticks all the television boxes.'
Competition for the Coveted Roles
Welby is not the only presenter in contention for the prestigious Strictly Come Dancing hosting positions. Recent reports indicate that Emma Willis and Zoe Ball are also being strongly considered by BBC executives for one of the presenting spots.
Emma Willis, 49, is best known for hosting television programmes including The Voice and Love Is Blind UK alongside her husband, Busted star Matt Willis. She recently took over from Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2's afternoon slot after Ball's departure from that position.
Zoe Ball, 55, has openly expressed her interest in the Strictly Come Dancing hosting role, telling The Sunday Times Style Magazine: 'Obviously there's part of me that would love to do it. I love that show.' Ball previously hosted the Strictly spin-off programme It Takes Two until 2021 and has extensive experience with the franchise.
However, Ball acknowledged the significant challenge of following in the footsteps of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, noting: 'It's live television, which is another thing that people don't give the girls enough credit for. That show is a beast. Whoever gets to do it has a tough act to follow.'
Selection Process and Considerations
Industry sources suggest the selection process has become a competitive situation between the leading candidates. One insider explained: 'It's a straight shoot-out between Zoe, who is the front-runner, and Emma. Only one will get it, not both.'
The same source revealed to The Sun on Sunday that BBC executives are seeking a particular dynamic: 'The senior executives want a traditional presenter working alongside a more left-field person, a female stand-up comedian. It's felt the humour Claudia brought to the show, particularly in her Clauditorium, needs to carry on.'
Zoe Ball has speculated about potential co-hosts she might work with on Strictly, mentioning that while personalities like Alan Carr and Amanda Holden have ruled themselves out, she believes 'Rylan would kill it and no one's mentioned Vernon Kay!'
Personal Factors Influencing Decisions
For Zoe Ball, career decisions have been influenced by significant personal circumstances. She stepped away from her Saturday Radio 2 slot after just seven months, following her earlier departure from the coveted Breakfast Show position in late 2024.
Ball has explained that this career reassessment was partly prompted by the grief of losing her mother, Julia Peckham, in April 2024 after a short battle with cancer. She described the months following her mother's death as 'a crazy, awful, hideous nightmare' that caused her to reconsider her professional path and focus more on relationships with her children, Nelly, 16, and Woody, 25.
Despite speculation that her Radio 2 departure was connected to potential Strictly Come Dancing opportunities, Ball insists the career move was motivated by personal factors rather than professional ambitions.
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for both Emma Willis and Zoe Ball for comment regarding the Strictly Come Dancing hosting speculation. BBC executives are expected to make their final decisions in the coming weeks as preparations begin for the next series of the popular dancing competition.
