New Strictly Come Dancing hosts: Who will compete? | Strictly Come Dancing

After more than two decades with Strictly Come Dancing, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are getting closer to their final tango.

The much-loved presenters will present the final of the live show on Saturday night and will make their final appearance together in the Christmas Day special.

No replacement for the duo has been revealed yet.

In a surprise announcement in October, the pair said they were stepping down from the long-running and hugely successful BBC powerhouse, handing over a “very shiny baton”.

The news comes as Winkleman’s profile reaches new heights following the smash success of The Traitors, which she hosts. There are reports that she is in advanced talks to host her own chat show.

There were many runners and riders. Holly Willoughby, Fleur East and Emma Willis are among the names tossed around since the news was announced, but earlier this week, Ladbrokes suspended betting on replacements after Zoe Ball announced she would be stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 show. Industry experts also consider her the new host, with Heat magazine’s entertainment director Boyd Hilton describing her as a “good bet”.

It’s possible that the broadcaster is looking for another pair to take the mantle, with The Sun reporting that the contestants are undergoing an in-studio chemistry test. So, who can take the tough lead?

Zoe Ball

Paul, 55, is not a complete novice. She competed in the show in 2005 and came in third place with her dance partner Ian White. In 2011, she replaced Winkleman as presenter of Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, presenting the companion show until 2021. “She’s been associated with the show before and is obviously a fan of it. She’s just a fantastic presenter,” Hilton said, adding that Rylan Clarke could be seen “alongside her doing Claudia’s job.”

Speculation that Ball could take over the Strictly role grew last week after she announced live on air that she would be stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 show on Saturday. While the news has led to some theories about a stern takeover, Ball, who is one of the BBC’s highest-paid stars, may just want some time. Last year, she announced she was stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show after six years to “focus on family”.

Alan Carr

The talkative man made the nation laugh and, ultimately, cry with his lumbering double entendres on traitorous celebrities. After beating out Stephen Fry, David Olusoga and Nick Mohammed, Carr, 49, now finds himself a surprise and unexpected candidate for one of TV’s most prestigious hosting gigs. He addressed the growing speculation earlier this week. “I know my name has been brought up,” he told the Daily Mail. “It’s nice to be in the race, but no one has come close to me.” Hilton said Carr would be “amazing, but I don’t think he needs it now” because after winning Celebrity Traitors, “he’s so old now, he can do anything he wants. Does he really need a weekly live TV gig. It’s exhausting.”

Carr also announced the 2027 run on Wednesday, which could take him out of the running because, as one Strictly insider told the Daily Mail: “Saturdays are sacred to the Strictly team and as brilliant as Alan is, they won’t be able to stomach change.”

Alison Hammond

Hammond, 50, who has made a stunning rise from a Big Brother contestant to one of the country’s most widely recognized broadcasters, is poised to take on one of the best jobs in television. Hammond is no stranger to the dance floor herself, having taken part in the tenth series in 2014. ITV may be picking up the growing momentum behind one of its star presenters. Hammond signed a new contract with the broadcaster this week, where she will continue her hosting duties on This Morning, although in theory, she could still present the hit program in prime time on Saturdays, as This Morning is not broadcast on weekends.

Hilton said Hammond “would be fantastic and also someone I think the BBC would be thrilled to have”, but wondered if she could fit the show into her schedule. Alongside This Morning, Hammond co-hosts The Great British Bake Off and Alison Hammond: For the Love of Dogs. “I just wonder if she’ll have the time,” he said.

Bradley Walsh

Walsh, 65, has been mooted as a potential successor to Strictly. He is an expert in studio formats and has presented numerous game shows, including ITV daytime show The Chase. This show was filmed alongside Strictly, so Walsh may have already met the cast of the dance show. The Sun reported that Walsh had a chemistry test with Alex Jones. He was pressed about this on Friday by Denise Welsh on the Scott Mills Breakfast Show. When Welch asked Walsh if that was true, he dodged the question, saying: “I think it’s a big old commitment. I really believe that. It’s a great show. It’s a great show.”

Hilton said Walsh was “the closest thing to Bruce Forsyth in terms of being an old-school comedian,” but questioned whether he really wanted the job. “He’s very busy. This doesn’t seem like the kind of show he’s going to go to right away: ‘Yes, I definitely want to do that.’ But I could be wrong,” Hilton said.

Holly Willoughby

Willoughby, 44, was one of TV’s most popular presenters, dominating ITV’s schedule for the past two decades. But the former This Morning host took a step back from the spotlight in 2023 after a former security guard was arrested over a failed plot to kidnap, rape and murder her.

She’s slowly making her way back to our TV screens but getting the Strictly job would bring her back to the big league. “The BBC will be very excited about her. She’s probably the biggest name who can do a great job,” Hilton said. He added that “she’s a big hit at the box office because she’s a big star. I wouldn’t be surprised if they cast her.”