The search for new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing is reported to be gathering pace, with the BBC considering a former contestant for the role following her recent departure from a prominent ITV position. The move comes after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced last year that they would be stepping down, saying they were ready to hand the baton to a new generation of presenters.
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Tess and Claudia made their final live appearance during the Strictly 2025 final, where Karen Carney and Carlos Gu lifted the glitterball trophy. Their farewell was completed with a pre-recorded Christmas special broadcast on 25 December, watched by millions across the UK. Since then, speculation has mounted over who might succeed the long-standing presenting duo.
Early names linked with the role included Bradley Walsh, Holly Willoughby and Alex Jones from The One Show. Zoe Ball also emerged as a strong contender after confirming she would be leaving her Radio 2 breakfast show, and she remains the bookmakers’ favourite. More recently, Christine Lampard has reportedly entered the frame after stepping back from her stand-in presenting duties on Lorraine.
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Lampard, who competed on Strictly in 2008 alongside Matthew Cutler, is said to be appealing to BBC executives due to her experience with live television and her existing fanbase. Producers are also thought to favour presenters who have previously taken part in the show, citing the success of former contestants in related roles. Meanwhile, Alan Carr is reported to have been ruled out because of touring commitments, much to the disappointment of BBC bosses.
