In a dramatic twist worthy of the ballroom’s most explosive tango, the glittering crown of Strictly Come Dancing is up for grabs—and comedian Alan Carr is storming the stage like a true game-show gladiator! Fresh off his triumphant victory on Celebrity Traitors, where he outwitted, outplayed, and outright slayed to snag a whopping £87,500 prize, Alan has emerged as the top contender to replace the iconic hosting duo of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. But hold onto your sequins—this hosting showdown is shaping up to be an all-out battle royale, with stars from soap operas to spin-offs vying for the spotlight.
Last month, the Strictly world was rocked when Tess Daly, 56, and Claudia Winkleman, 53, dropped the bombshell: they’re hanging up their hosting microphones after years of dazzling Saturday nights. The BBC is now on a frantic hunt for fresh faces to steer the beloved dance extravaganza, and this year’s contestant Lewis Cope— the charming Emmerdale star, 30, who’s been waltzing his way through the competition with pro partner Katya Jones—has thrown his full support behind Alan Carr. “I think Alan would be brilliant,” Lewis gushed to The Mirror. “He’s funny, people love him, and he’s really current.” And who could argue? Just last Thursday, Alan had the nation in stitches (and awe) as he clinched the Traitors win, despite humbly admitting he was as sneaky as a “series three star Linda Rands.” The episode peaked at a staggering 12 million viewers—the BBC’s biggest overnight crowd since Gavin & Stacey’s festive special—cementing Alan’s status as a national treasure and sparking whispers: What’s next for this comedy king?
But Lewis isn’t the only one with a hot take. His dance dynamo Katya Jones, 36, is rooting for a Strictly insider to claim the throne: former pro dancer Janette Manrara. “Alan would be great fun, but I think Janette would make an amazing host,” Katya enthused. “She knows the dancing, she knows what we go through. She’d bring real heart.” At 41, Janette already rules the roost on Strictly’s spin-off It Takes Two alongside Fleur East, 38, having stepped in for Zoe Ball back in 2021. With her firsthand experience twirling across the floor, Janette could infuse the main show with authentic passion and insider savvy.
Yet, as the hosting hunger games heat up, BBC insiders are dropping juicy hints about the future. Sources whisper that the broadcaster might double down on girl power, opting for “two more women” to maintain the symbolism of an all-female dream team on their flagship Saturday spectacle. “Execs are expected to go that route because the Beeb values the message it sends,” an insider spilled to The Sun. Meanwhile, Tess and Claudia’s exit was a masterclass in secrecy—they hashed it out privately, vowing to bow out together, with only top BBC brass and their inner circles in the know. “It’s incredible they’ve kept it under wraps for so long,” the source added.
The rumor mill is spinning faster than a Viennese waltz, with a star-studded lineup of potential heirs to the hosting empire. Leading the pack is TV and radio powerhouse Zoe Ball, who’s the 2-1 favorite according to Coral Bookmakers. Zoe’s no stranger to the Strictly sparkle, having helmed It Takes Two for years—making her a seamless fit. Hot on her heels are Holly Willoughby, Stacey Dooley, and even pro dancer Kevin Clifton. Other buzzworthy names include Roman Kemp, the ever-popular Janette Manrara (again!), and former contestant Alex Scott, each bringing their own flair to the fray.
As the BBC mulls over what the show “should look and feel like” in its next era, one thing’s crystal clear: the battle for Strictly’s throne is on, and with Alan Carr charging in like a crowned conqueror from Celebrity Traitors, the queens’ reign might just give way to a new ruler. Will it be comedy gold with Alan, heartfelt expertise with Janette, or a fresh female duo? Stay tuned—the dance floor drama is just getting started. Daily Mail has reached out to the BBC for comment.