The glitterball will soon be spinning under new leadership as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have confirmed they are stepping down as the main hosts of Strictly Come Dancing. The beloved presenting pair will leave the BBC dance competition at the conclusion of the current series, ending a significant chapter in the show's history.
Daly, who has fronted the programme for an impressive 21 years, and Winkleman, who became her co-presenter on the main show in 2014, released a joint statement expressing their gratitude. "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream," they said. "We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time."
The Frontrunners for the Strictly Throne
Following the major announcement, bookmakers have been quick to compile odds on which broadcasting stars are most likely to fill the vacant sparkly shoes. The speculation is rife, with a mix of Strictly family insiders and external talents in the running.
According to Coral, Zoe Ball is the current 2-1 favourite. The Radio 2 presenter is no stranger to the Strictly universe, having hosted the companion show It Takes Two from 2011 to 2021 and fronted the live tours. "Zoe Ball is no stranger to the Strictly family, and we make the former It Takes Two host the favourite to replace Tess Daly next year," said Coral’s John Hill. Ladbrokes places her odds at 4-1.
Contenders from Within the Strictly Family
The current hosts of It Takes Two are also strong contenders. Janette Manrara, a professional dancer on the show from 2013 to 2021, has odds of 3-1. Her co-host, Fleur East, a former X Factor contestant, is close behind with 4-1 odds. Ladbrokes is even more bullish on the pair, rating them both highly.
Another familiar face from the It Takes Two studio is Rylan Clark. The broadcaster, who hosted the spin-off from 2019 to 2022, is given a 5-1 chance. Coral reported seeing "early support" for Clark to make a triumphant return to the ballroom in a new capacity.
Stacey Dooley, the journalist who won the 2018 series of Strictly, is also in the frame with odds of 4-1 from Ladbrokes. Her deep understanding of the contestant experience could make her a popular choice with viewers.
External Favourites and Outside Picks
Beyond the Strictly alumni, several other prominent TV personalities are being tipped for the role. Reports from MailOnline suggest that Paddy McGuinness is being eyed by BBC bosses for his light-hearted tone, which would be ideal for post-dance interviews.
Ladbrokes has named Roman Kemp as the early favourite, offering odds of 6/4. The Capital FM breakfast host and son of Martin Kemp has a growing profile thanks to his work on The One Show and his stint in the jungle on I'm a Celebrity.
Other notable names on the bookies' lists include:
- Alex Scott: The former Lioness and current Football Focus host is at 4/1.
- Hannah Waddingham: The Ted Lasso star and Eurovision host has impressive odds of 3/1.
- Alan Carr: Fresh from his win on The Celebrity Traitors, the comedian is at 6/1, with insiders suggesting the BBC is keen.
- Holly Willoughby: The experienced presenter is given a 6-1 chance.
- Maya Jama, Stacey Solomon, Emma Willis, and Alison Hammond are all considered outsiders with longer odds.
The departure of Daly and Winkleman marks the end of an era for Strictly Come Dancing. As the current series continues, all eyes will be on the BBC to see who they select to lead one of British television's most cherished entertainment programmes into its next glittering chapter.
