Strictly Come Dancing’s reigning professional champion, Carlos Gu, has had his say on who he thinks should replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly after the pair quit the BBC show

Claudia and Tess have left Strictly(Image: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing is entering into the world of the unknown after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s shock exit from the show. But professional dancer Carlos Gu believes he knows just the person to step into their shoes

The dynamic duo shocked fans of the BBC dance contest when they announced they would be leaving the series after the last outing, won by Carlos and his partner Karen Carney. And with a number of names already thrown into the discussion for their replacement Chinese dancer and choreographer Carlos has put a suggestion of his own in the mix.

Speaking to the Mirror on the red carpet for this year’s TV Choice Awards, Carlos said: “Emma Willis would be a great host for Strictly.” And he added: “She is actually a huge fan of the show as well.”

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Carlos Gu attends the TV Choice Awards at the London Hilton

The host of The Circle had previously admitted she would take part in Strictly “in a heartbeat”. Speaking to The Sun after rumours of her inclusion in previous years, Emma said: “If I had time, I would do it in a heartbeat. Like I absolutely love it.”

And she also told Daily Star of the fears she would hold if she did take part. She said: “To be standing there, with millions of people watching you before your first dance – and you’re not a natural dancer but you’ve got to suddenly have rhythm… that would be terrifying.

“In an alternative universe I’d jump at the chance but, at the minute, with three kids and all my work it’s wishful thinking.”

Emma is among the names to be in the running for the currently vacant presenting role, alongside the likes of Rylan Clark. Alison Hammond, Zoe Ball and Christine Lampard have all also been linked.

In January, judge Anton Du Beke revealed what he had “heard” about the potential suiters. He admitted he didn’t know any names but had heard that producers may want someone already connected to the show.

“I did hear Kate Phillips (BBC’s Chief Content Officer) mention somewhere, on a podcast or a chat show, that they would probably be looking towards somebody who has a connection with the show,” he shared. “So, most of the names that [have] been mentioned.”

Speaking to Chris Evans on his Virgin Radio Breakfast Show, he also explained how he was initially rejected for his current position on the show.

“I remember when, before Shirley [Ballas] came on and judged Strictly after Len [Goodman] had left, there was sort of an audition process there which I went for and a number of other people went for,” he said.

“We did the thing and sort of had a bit of a go and did the screen test and they gave the job to Shirley. So there probably will be a process but I can’t imagine… I mean the people that will be asking to host Strictly Come Dancing won’t really need a screen test.”