Melanie Blatt, best known for being part of All Saints, reportedly impressed Strictly bosses during the festive special and could be in the running to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman

The 2025 cast of the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have left Strictly Come Dancing(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy)

A pop star could be poised to secure the Strictly Come Dancing presenting role.

Melanie Blatt, 50, renowned for her time in 90s girl band All Saints, took part in the Christmas edition of the BBC’s Saturday night sensation.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have fronted the show as a duo for 15 years, but stunned the nation in October by announcing their departure at the conclusion of the current series.

Although Melanie was pipped to the Glitterball Trophy by Gogglebox favourite Scarlett Moffatt, sources suggest she and fellow participant Brian McFadden made quite an impression on executives, who are currently seeking a presenting partnership to fill the prestigious roles.

Melanie Blatt

Melanie Blatt could be about to land the Strictly Come Dancing hosting job(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy)

An insider revealed to The Sun: “Melanie and Brian McFadden really caught the eye. Brian is on tour with Boyzlife next year which rules him out so the door is wide open for Melanie!”, reports the Mirror.

During the Christmas special, Melanie achieved a score of 35 for her jazz performance to Santa Baby alongside professional dancer Kai Widdrington, while Westlife’s Brian and Michelle Tsiakkas notched up 39 points for their Jive to Run Rudolph Run.

Prior to her triumph, Scarlett expressed her delight at being matched with Vito Coppola before their flawless cha-cha-cha to Cher’s DJ Play a Christmas Song.

In conversation with the Mirror before the special aired, Scarlett gushed: “I couldn’t believe my luck when I was paired with Vito.

Brian McFadden

Brian McFadden also caught the eyes of producers but isn’t available next year(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy)

“I really wanted him! I kept mentioning that Vito would be my favourite. I’m so grateful to the show for giving us a chance to be a small part in such a big institution.”

In the original announcement, featuring a video of the duo seated together, Claudia opened with: “Hi, it’s Claud and Tess. There have been some rumblings, and we want you to hear this from us…” Tess chimed in: “Yeah, we have news. After 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictl,y we have decided the time is right to step aside and pass on the baton..

“The very sparkly baton…” Claudia carried on before turning to Tess and remarking: “You’ve been here since the beginning…” Tess, who previously presented the programme alongside the late Bruce Forsyth, responded: “2004 with Brucey – lovely Bruce.

Scarlett Moffatt and Vito Coppola

Scarlett Moffatt won the Strictly special(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy)

“That’s over two decades ago and a lot of that time has been with you. It’s been a huge part of our lives, hasn’t it? Since our children were literally babes in arms and now they’re young adults and I think, genuinely we have cherished every second.”

Claudia went on: “We have, we’re so lucky to have been part of this amazing show and we just want to thank the Strictly team because Strictly is the people who make it so thank you…” Tess concurred: “They are the very best team in television we’ve been so lucky.

“And the audience as well, they’ve been so wonderful. They’ve been with us for this entire journey of 21 years and we wouldn’t have a show without them and they’ve been just so loyal and supportive.”

Claudia chimed in: “We have, we’re so lucky to have been part of this amazing show and we just want to thank the Strictly team because Strictly is the people who make it so thank you…” Tess concurred: “They are the very best team in television we’ve been so lucky.”