9 stars ‘make final Strictly Come Dancing presenter shortlist’ with auditions this week

The long-awaited announcement of the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts could be just around the corner.

In December, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stunned viewers by announcing it was the ‘right time’ for them to depart, having always insisted they would leave together.

Of course, rumours quickly began swirling around who would replace them, with some of the biggest names in British television reportedly shortlisted for the high-profile gig, from Holly Willoughby to Alan Carr and Amanda Holden.

Now, we’re said to be down to the final nine, with chemistry tests scheduled for this week to determine who bosses will choose to take the reins, with auditionees including Rylan Clark, Zoe Ball, and a couple of surprise names.

According to The Sun, the auditions will start tomorrow and last until Friday.

Get personalised updates on Strictly

Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.

Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.

They’ll have all the bells and whistles, mimicking a Strictly live show to see who has got what it takes to deliver.

Taking place in a top-secret London location, the full-scale dress runs will be complete with judges and even a live band to replicate all the Strictly magic we know and love.

A source told the publication that the potential presenters have signed NDAs to keep the tryouts on the down low, with even the crew sworn to total secrecy.

‘It’s not just about reading autocue,’ said an insider.

‘They’ll be looking at how people work together, and humour is a massive part of it.

‘There’s everything to play for.’

Who do you want to host Strictly?Comment Now
What’s more, Sarah James, who has been Strictly’s executive producer since 2019, and the BBC’s head of entertainment, Kalpna Patel-Knight, will oversee proceedings.

Incoming director-general Matt Brittin, who takes over officially next month, will also be kept in the loop.

Describing the flagship show as ‘the crown jewel of the BBC’, a TV source explained that ‘it needs to be handled with the utmost care’; hence, ‘bosses are taking a very keen interest’.

They’re even reportedly going as far as closely vetting candidates’ pasts in case any skeletons emerge from their closets, refusing to ‘take any chances’ after numerous Strictly scandals in the past.

So, who are the final nine contenders?

Rylan Clark

Rylan Clark has been hotly tipped for the Strictly gig since the beginning, and he’s no stranger to its sparkling world, having co-hosted the BBC Two spin-off It Takes Two for four years.

The 37-year-old has also built up a wealth of live broadcasting experience since his X Factor days, with regular slots on This Morning, Eurovision, and his own show on BBC Radio 2.

‘Rylan is really excited,’ a source said ahead of auditions.

‘He sees this as a massive opportunity and wants to show exactly what he can do.’

Emma Willis

Emma Willis is reportedly ‘keen to wow in front of the cameras’ as she steps into the studio for auditions.

Her name has long been in the running, with headlines in February claiming she was in a ‘straight shoot-out’ for the job as ‘senior execs want a traditional presenter’ working alongside a more ‘left-field person’, such as a stand-up comedian.

The 50-year-old is best known for hosting some of the nation’s biggest entertainment shows, such as Big Brother, The Voice, and Netflix’s Love Is Blind UK.

She’s also a pro when it comes to more serious, emotional broadcasting, having hosted on Comic Relief and made a docuseries called Making Babies.

What’s more, Emma is a frequent face on This Morning, which she’s co-presented with Rylan, something that could work in their favour.

‘It’s a pairing that works and viewers love,’ a source stated.

Tom Allen

Comedian Tom Allen would undoubtedly bring the liveliness, picking up where Claudia left off with the chaos upstairs in the Claudatorium.

And this may put him in a strong position, as sources have said higher-ups ‘really want to bring the fun this year’.

They added that if Rylan clicks with Tom on-screen, it could make for a ‘hilarious pairing’.

Tom, 42, has become a regular on our screens in recent years, with appearances on panel shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and stand-up sets on Live at the Apollo.

He’s hosted Bake Off’s sister show, An Extra Slice, The Apprentice: You’re Fired!, and Cooking with the Stars.

Angela Scanlon

Angela Scanlon knows Strictly very well, having appeared as a contestant in 2023, finishing in sixth place with pro partner Carlos Gu.

Now, she could be set for a very different role, with insiders claiming that bosses might ‘stick with two female hosts’ as it’s ‘worked brilliantly’ since 2014.

Angela, 42, began her broadcasting career on Irish TV and has since added a string of esteemed gigs to her CV, including The One Show and succeeding Graham Norton on Virgin Radio.

She’s also proven she has the required banter on her podcast, Get A Grip, with 2025 Strictly contestant Vicky Pattison.

Alex Jones

Welsh broadcaster Alex Jones is well integrated in the BBC family, having fronted The One Show since 2010, which she took over from Christine Lampard.

Alex, 49, who did Strictly herself in 2011, was initially reported to be in the running alongside Bradley Walsh, who also remains in the shortlist.

In November, insiders even claimed it was pretty much a done deal with the two, saying: ‘They have been in the BBC’s sights for some time, as Tess and Claudia’s exit plan has been known for a while.

As for the dynamic the possible duo could bring to screens, they added: ‘Bradley and Alex are both seen as accomplished broadcasters.

He brings the wisecracks, and Alex is the calm head who knows how to handle live situations after 15 years of co-hosting The One Show.

‘Alex is a massive fan of Strictly, too, so this would be the dream gig for her.’

Bradley Walsh

The Chase host Bradley was said to be ‘moving in a positive direction’ with his Strictly talks last autumn, and viewers threw their support behind him.

However, the 65-year-old reportedly faces a dilemma, since he and his son, Barney, are also the face of another Saturday night show, Gladiators.

Should he be successful in getting the Strictly job, he may have to walk away from the reboot.

A source told The Sun this month: ‘Bradley is hugely ambitious and hard-working and hosting Strictly was a job he was born to do.

But family is hugely important to him.

He is very close to Barney and has helped him throughout his career.

‘His son is currently enjoying having the biggest job of his life so far, but it’s unlikely the Beeb would let his dad host two big Saturday night shows.’
They added that ‘producers want stars to be synonymous with those shows, and doing two big entertainment blockbusters on the BBC doesn’t sit well with channel chiefs’.

So, does Bradley stay on Gladiators and ‘secure his son’s future’, or go for ‘the job of a lifetime?’

La Voix

La Voix made it very clear last series that she wanted to go from Strictly contestant to Strictly host, jokingly asking Claudia for the address to submit CVs.

She also had various presenting segments to camera and bantered back and forth with Tess over her outfits each week, not to mention with the judges over their criticisms.

The 46-year-old drag queen (real name Christopher Dennis) was devastated to cut her Strictly journey short with pro partner Aljaž Skorjanec just before Blackpool due to a foot injury, but surely securing the hosting slot would more than make up for it.

It’s said that she is ‘very popular’ among bosses, with The Sun reporting: ‘They’ve mentioned La Voix’s name a lot.

‘She’s definitely a favourite with some, but nothing is set in stone yet.’

Alison Hammond

There’s no denying that Alison Hammond is a British TV icon, having first stolen the nation’s hearts as a Big Brother housemate before landing a job on This Morning.

Alison, 51, has been in and out a few times over recent months but stated earlier this month that it was ‘unrealistic’ for her to host Strictly.

‘I’m so busy, babes, that I’m not sure it’s going to happen,’ she quipped to the Radio Times.

‘I would have loved to have done it – anybody that gets it, they’re going to land the perfect job.

But I’m so happy with everything I’ve got.

What would I drop to do Strictly?’

However, in a huge U-turn, the daytime star and 2014 Strictly contestant told Metro the following weeks that she was stunned that everyone thought she’d ‘turned down’ the job.

‘Do you think I would turn down Strictly if Strictly came along?

Who would turn down Strictly?

They’d be absolutely crazy,’ she said, throwing her hat firmly back into the ring.

She explained: ‘I was trying to back them off because ultimately everyone keeps putting my name in the mix and they’re ruining my chances of even getting on to Strictly, do you know what I mean?

‘You all need to stop talking about it because I need to get in.’

Zoe Ball

Last but not least, we have one of the BBC’s highest earners, Zoe Ball.

Zoe, 55, fuelled rumours that she was taking the job when she stepped down from her radio show.

She’s also declared that she’d ‘love’ to do it.

Addressing speculation that she’s a frontrunner, Zoe told The Times in January that Strictly is ‘all anyone talks to [her] about’ now.

She added: ‘At the moment, I am in mourning for Tess and Claud because I love those girls.

I think everyone’s name is being thrown into the mix.

Describing the show as a ‘beast,’ she continued: ‘Obviously, there’s part of me that would love to do it.

But I will still be watching, whoever hosts it.’
Zoe is also well-versed when it comes to Strictly’s inner workings, having been a contestant 20 years ago, finishing third, before hosting It Takes Two from 2011 to 2021.

She even had a spell of fronting the main show in 2014 when Claudia was on leave after her daughter suffered serious burn injuries, and has hosted the Live Tour twice.

When contacted previously for a comment, a Strictly spokesperson told Metro that plans for the new series will be confirmed ‘in due course’.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC later this year.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.