The upcoming 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing is set to feature not only new hosts and professional dancers but also a significant format change for its companion show, It Takes Two. According to reports, the programme will be refreshed to align with evolving audience habits, similar to transformations seen in The Traitors: Uncloaked and The Apprentice: You're Fired. The show is expected to become a vodcast, meaning episodes will be filmed for viewers and also recorded for podcast listeners. Additionally, it has been claimed that current hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East will no longer present the show, though the BBC previously stated that it is "factually incorrect to claim that either has been axed."
Creative Renewal on the Table
A source told The Sun: "There is definitely a creative renewal on the table for It Takes Two, and they are poised to sign off on the radical option of a vodcast." The source highlighted that such a switch could attract millions more viewers and listeners, noting that "more and more people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy podcasts and vodcasts, so despite being quite a departure, it's actually quite a shrewd move." The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment.
History of It Takes Two
It Takes Two first launched alongside the second series of Strictly in 2004, originally hosted by future main host Claudia Winkleman. She remained with the series until 2011, when Zoe Ball took over until 2021. Ball shared hosting duties with Rylan Clark from 2019, with Clark staying until 2023. After Ball's departure, former Strictly professional Janette Manrara assumed the role, and celebrity contestant Fleur East later replaced Clark.
Both Ball and Clark are reportedly in contention to replace Winkleman and Tess Daly on the main Strictly series following the hosts' departures in December. Earlier this month, Ball teased an upcoming "glamorous" project, though she remained tight-lipped about specifics. In January, Ball expressed her desire to host the show but noted she had not yet spoken to producers. She suggested Alan Carr, Amanda Holden, Rylan Clark, and Vernon Kay as potential replacements. Her father, Johnny Ball, appeared to confirm her consideration for the role, stating, "People are coming to her, but it's too early to say."
