A former Strictly Come Dancing contestant has emerged as one of the four leading candidates to host the 2026 series of the popular BBC show, following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The search for their replacements has been underway since they left at the end of the most recent series, with numerous names being considered.
According to reports, Irish presenter Angela Scanlon has impressed executives during a week of filmed auditions, becoming a 'surprise hit'. The other television personalities in contention include Rylan Clark, Emma Willis, and Zoe Ball, who is currently the strong favourite.
Angela Scanlon's Impressive Audition
An insider revealed that Scanlon performed exceptionally well, with the BBC emphasising the importance of chemistry between presenters and their ability to react to live comments and situations. Scanlon, a former One Show host and BBC radio DJ, was a contestant on the 2023 series of Strictly, finishing in sixth place with dance partner Carlos Gu. She currently presents the Apprentice aftershow You're Fired and has recently been announced as Scott Mills's replacement for this year's Eurovision coverage.
Other Contenders and Developments
The latest update appears to rule out other names previously mentioned, such as Bradley Walsh and Alison Hammond. Zoe Ball, considered a clear favourite, teased a 'glamorous' upcoming project earlier this month, though she remained tight-lipped about specifics. The BBC has stated that plans for Strictly 2026 will be announced in due course, with preparations already underway.
Ball expressed her desire to host the show in January, but noted she had not yet spoken to the programme's bosses. She named Alan Carr, Amanda Holden, Vernon Kay, and Rylan Clark as potential strong replacements.
Changes to the Strictly Line-Up
This year's Strictly will also see changes to the professional dancer cast. Gorka Marquez announced his departure after a decade on the show, following the exits of Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas. Additionally, the companion show It Takes Two is reportedly set for a refresh, transforming into a vodcast format to cater to changing audience habits, similar to The Traitors: Uncloaked and The Apprentice: You're Fired. Reports suggest that Janette Manrara and Fleur East will no longer present the show, though the BBC has denied these claims, stating they are 'factually incorrect'.
