Fleur East put on a brave face at the Rivals series two premiere on Wednesday night, shortly after opening up about missing out on the coveted Strictly Come Dancing hosting job. The TV and radio star, 38, who has presented the spin-off show It Takes Two for three years, admitted this week that she had been lying to herself about being fine with not being considered for the main presenting role.
Fleur's Candid Admission
Speaking on her Hits Radio Breakfast Show on Wednesday morning, Fleur told co-hosts Will Best and James Barr: 'I did say initially, after Tess and Claudia announced they were leaving Strictly, you know, it's probably not going to happen [for me] and I'm happy for whoever gets it.' Referring to reports that Emma Willis has now been offered the job, she continued: 'We were just talking about Emma Willis being announced and I was like, yeah, great, amazing, and I've kind of lied to myself that I'd be all right with not doing it or not being considered for the job. But I'm kind of bothered.'
Fleur said: 'I think it's okay to admit that. I think it's okay to admit that being faced with the opportunity of such an incredible job. I mean, it's an amazing show.' She expressed pride in being part of the Strictly family as a contestant and presenter of It Takes Two, but admitted her work on the spin-off made her feel 'within touching distance' of the main job. 'I never allowed myself to really go fully there, but I did think about it. I was like, that would be amazing,' she explained. 'So yeah, I guess I have been lying to myself when I've been saying, I'm fine. I'm coming to terms with it, but I feel I was okay before it was kind of confirmed that someone's got the job.'
Zoe Ball's Similar Grief
Fleur's comments follow Zoe Ball's admission this week that she was 'grieving the rejection' after failing to land the role. Zoe, who also previously hosted It Takes Two, revealed on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley: 'I didn't get it, but it's OK. I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days.' She added: 'No, I didn't get it. But I tell you what, if [it's] who I think has got it, we're in safe hands and our new hosts are going to be fabulous.'
The 55-year-old said she was thrilled to have been in the mix, noting: 'There were some pretty amazing people who didn't even make it into the mix. So I made it in the mix, and I had a really fun time having one last little play at a show that I love and adore.'
It Takes Two Overhaul
It has been reported that Fleur and her It Takes Two co-presenter Janette Manara have both lost their jobs on the spin-off show as it undergoes a major overhaul. Both have removed '#Strictly It Takes Two' from their Instagram profiles, seemingly confirming that the show will have new hosts. It was reported last month that It Takes Two will return in the form of a vodcast, similar to other BBC spin-offs like The Traitors: Uncloaked and The Apprentice: You're Fired.
Rivals Premiere Appearance
Despite the disappointment, Fleur attended the Rivals series two premiere on Wednesday night, cutting a chic figure in an oversized white silk suit. She added nude heels to boost her height and accessorised with a gold necklace. The premiere was also attended by the show's main stars, including Emily Atack, Aidan Turner, and Danny Dyer.
Emma Willis Reportedly Set for Role
Emma Willis, 50, is reportedly set to be announced as one of the new Strictly hosts. She impressed during chemistry tests, with BBC bosses seeing her as a 'safe pair of hands'. A source told The Sun: 'The television industry is cut-throat. From the off, the BBC had their favourites but they knew they couldn't just shoe-horn in who they wanted — it had to come down to the chemistry tests. The celebs were put into mix-and-match pairs. The people who didn't get offered the job just weren't the right fit.'
The source added: 'Some have taken it better than others. One big star who was tipped from day one has been sobbing about it — they were convinced the job was theirs for the taking. They genuinely thought they'd the best chance but when it came down to what it felt like on screen, it didn't work. Sadly, that's the nature of the business and no amount of soggy Kleenexes will change the decision.'
