Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have announced they are leaving Strictly Come Dancing after 15 years as co-hosts. The pair confirmed the news on Instagram, stating they will depart at the end of this year's series. Winkleman's exit was widely expected given her success with The Traitors, while Daly's departure is seen as a greater loss due to her long-standing role as the show's steadying presence since 2004.
The BBC now faces the challenge of finding replacements. One likely strategy is to recruit from the pool of former Strictly contestants, which includes many familiar faces. Potential candidates include Angela Scanlon (2023), Gemma Atkinson (2017 runner-up), Bill Bailey (2020 winner), and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (current contestant and Gladiators star). Natasha Kaplinsky, the show's first winner, is also a possibility.
Another option is to hire from Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, as was done with Winkleman. This could mean Rylan Clark or Fleur East, who has both presented on the spin-off and danced on the main show. The BBC is expected to explore this route first.
Former professional dancers are also in contention, though live presenting requires different skills. Oti Mabuse, a two-time winner who now hosts her own ITV breakfast show, is a strong candidate, possibly paired with Bill Bailey. Anton Du Beke, who has long positioned himself as a successor to Bruce Forsyth, remains a possibility despite being seen by some as yesterday's man.
