Rylan Clark has reportedly taken himself out of the running for the top job on Strictly Come Dancing, despite it being widely known as a "dream job" for the former X Factor star.
Rylan's Decision to Step Back
The presenter, who previously fronted the It Takes Two spin-off, was thought to be one of the favourites to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman following their shock departure towards the end of last year. In recent days, it has been reported that Emma Willis, whom Rylan, 37, is good friends with and previously worked with on Big Brother, is set to be offered one of the top jobs.
Despite it being a "dream job" for him, Rylan, who shot to fame on The X Factor in 2012 and has since gone on to host This Morning amongst several other programmes, is said to have been through a screen test and then decided to take himself out of the race.
Source Insights
A source said: "Everyone knows that hosting Strictly would be a dream job for Rylan. He, of course, went for the audition because it's a once in a lifetime job, but soon after a chemistry test he ruled himself out and started telling friends he's doing panto instead." Speaking to The Sun, the source added: "It's surprising because Emma Willis is one of his closest friends. Rylan wasn't the direction that Strictly wanted to go in!"
The Mirror has contacted Rylan's representatives for comment.
Zoe Ball's Experience
It comes after Zoe Ball said she was thrilled to also be "in the mix" of presenters who were invited to audition, but confirmed that it wasn't to be. Speaking on her Dig It podcast, she explained: "I didn't get it but that's okay. I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days. I was so chuffed to even be in the mix. 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. And I'm so thrilled for the gang that has got it. I think there's been so many eyes on this whole process, everyone's quite relieved now that a decision has been made and the right decision has been made."
Emma Willis Expected to Take the Role
While it is not clear who landed the top job, Zoe was one of a number of stars linked to the Saturday night staple, after Claudia and Tess stepped down. Rylan Clark, Amanda Holden, Alan Carr, Rob Rinder and Bradley Walsh were also linked. Just hours before that, an insider tipped that it would be Emma who will be taking on hosting duties, following her efforts on Netflix's Love Is Blind UK.
A source said: "Emma has been offered the Strictly job and is going to accept. She absolutely nailed the chemistry tests and the BBC adore her. Emma is a household name and a safe pair of hands so the BBC know she will do the job justice. She's incredibly popular with the public too and will suit the role down to a tee. She was absolutely thrilled to have been offered the job. Strictly is one of the biggest shows on television and to be trusted with the new era is something Emma feels incredibly proud and humbled by."
