Amanda Holden Dismisses Strictly Hosting Rumours and Criticises Candidate List
Television personality Amanda Holden has firmly denied speculation that she will become the new host of Strictly Come Dancing, while simultaneously criticising the current roster of contenders as "boring." In a candid interview, Holden expressed her belief that the BBC should pursue more innovative and unexpected choices to fill the vacant presenting roles.
Holden's Commitment to Britain's Got Talent and Family Life
Holden confirmed that her schedule is already fully occupied with her longstanding role as a judge on ITV's Britain's Got Talent, a position she has held since 2007. She emphasised that hosting Strictly would demand too many weekends, time she prefers to dedicate to her family. "I am already part of a big show, and I'll happily carry on watching Strictly from the comfort of my lounge," Holden stated. She added, "I've got to remember that I have children and a husband." Holden has been married to Chris Hughes since 2008, and they share two daughters: Lexi, aged 19, and Hollie, aged 13.
Calling for Fresh Talent and Female Representation
While male presenters such as Bradley Walsh, Rylan, and Roman Kemp are reportedly under consideration, Holden is adamant that the BBC should appoint two women to replace departing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. She urged the corporation to "think outside the box" and consider lesser-known talents who deserve recognition. "There are so many people and women in our industry without getting too political who have put all the work in, all the hours in, who deserve a bloody break," Holden remarked. "So often when I see lots of names attached to it, I think, 'Boring, boring, boring.' They're all brilliant people, but you go, 'Oh come on, think outside the box.'"
Specific Recommendations for Host Candidates
Holden proposed several alternative candidates she believes would bring humour and surprise to the show. She suggested comedian Katherine Ryan and comic actor Daisy May Cooper as ideal choices, praising their potential to inject fresh energy. Additionally, she expressed support for Alex Jones, host of The One Show, noting Jones's dry sense of humour and anchoring skills. "She's not been overlooked, but you don't see enough of her on TV. She would be a really good choice," Holden said. She also endorsed Zoe Ball for an anchor role and recommended that producers explore talent from events like the Edinburgh Festival to discover comedians.
Background on the Strictly Host Departure
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their departure from Strictly Come Dancing in 2025, concluding their tenure as a presenting duo. Daly had hosted the series for an impressive 21 years, while Winkleman joined as co-presenter on the main show in 2014, after previously hosting the Sunday night results show. In a joint statement, they said, "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time." This departure has sparked widespread speculation about their successors, with Holden's comments adding a provocative twist to the ongoing discussion.
