Strictly hosts Tess and Claudia’s replacements ‘decided’ – and it is two huge names

The BBC has been looking for new Strictly Come Dancing hosts after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left the show

Tess and Claudia
Tess and Claudia’s replacements are said to be decided (Image: BBC)

The BBC has reportedly made its decision on who will host Strictly Come Dancing out of pool of huge TV names, according to fresh reports. The broadcaster has been searching for replacements for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman following their departure from the beloved dance competition last year. The names in the mix of potential new hosts include: Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Alex Jones, Fleur East, Emma Willis, Bradley Walsh and Angela Scanlon.

It has been reported that the decision on the new presenting duo was due to be made on Friday, April 24, following a week of “secret auditions”.”Yesterday was the final day of screen tests, so bosses have tried out lots of different combinations of hosts together, and today they are sitting down to make the decision,” a source told the Sun on Friday.

“They want it done and dusted this week. The announcement may not come for a few more weeks, because obviously contracts will need to be signed, but the powers that be will be naming who they want in closed-door meetings as we speak,” reports the Manchester Evening News.

“They really didn’t want to get this wrong, which is why it’s been such a long, drawn-out process. Everyone who has auditioned and been invited for screen tests is on tenterhooks, they just want to know now,” the insider added.

Strictly is going under a massive overhaul, as not only are bosses bringing in new judges, but they have also cut a number of beloved professional dancers.

It’s been officially announced that professionals Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas will not be returning for the 2026 series.

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly on Strictly
The pair signed off from their final Strictly show on Christmas Day (Image: PA)

Not only that, it has been reported that fan favourite Gorka Marquez will be departing and Neil Jones and Nancy Xu’s roles will be reduced to just taking part in group numbers.

Strictly’s BBC2 spin-off show It Takes Two is also being revamped, as it will be turned into a vodcast, similar to that of The Traitors: Uncloaked and The Apprentice: You’re Fired.

Hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East are also reportedly leaving their presenting roles for the show, although this has not been confirmed by BBC.