TV Specials
Three top contenders lead race to replace Strictly Come Dancing hosts
Strictly Come Dancing will be waltzing into a brand-new era as long-time presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have confirmed they’ll be stepping down at the end of the current series.
Tess Daly has fronted the show since its debut 21 years ago, while Claudia joined as co-host in 2014, forming one of the most iconic presenting partnerships in British television. Their warmth, humour and on-screen chemistry have been key to the show’s enduring success.
With their exit confirmed, bookmakers have wasted no time releasing odds on who could take over one of TV’s most glamorous hosting gigs.
Whataretheodds.co.uk have compiled the latest odds from across the bookmakers to bring the latest contenders.
Latest Odds to Replace Tess and Claudia
| Candidate | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Janette Manrara | 2/1 | 33.3% |
| Fleur East | 2/1 | 33.3% |
| Zoe Ball | 3/1 | 25.0% |
| Roman Kemp | 4/1 | 20.0% |
| Rylan Clark | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| Stacey Dooley & Kevin Clifton | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Alesha Dixon | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Oti Mabuse | 8/1 | 11.1% |
| Alison Hammond | 9/1 | 10.0% |
| Hannah Waddingham | 10/1 | 9.1% |
| Holly Willoughby | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Whataretheodds.co.uk Celebrity Expert Dave James commented:
“I’m sure the BBC will be looking for a smooth transition and ‘Auntie’ always tends to look close to home when replacing presenters and a safe option will be paramount. Janette Manrara is the clear fan favourite and of course an expert on all things Strictly. “
“The It Takes Two presenter and former Strictly professional knows the show inside out and would bring warmth and familiarity to the role. If Tess and Claudia are the golden era of Strictly, Janette could easily be the start of the next. She’s rightly at the top of the market and I think she is the clear favourite.”
He added: “Fleur East is also another who has really impressed since joining It Takes Two and with Janette they have formed the perfect partnership. They look the perfect pairing at the moment. She’s confident and chrismatic, and really connects with the Strictly audience. She’d be a welcome addition to the flagship show and the BBC will surely be looking for a safe option.”
“At 3/1, Zoe Ball remains firmly in the running as well. She has the perfect mix of professionalism and sparkle and of course has decades of experience. Having hosted It Takes Two for years, she’s got the experience to hit the ground running. ”
With the BBC expected to confirm their replacements early next year, all eyes will be on who can bring their own shine to the Strictly ballroom.