‘BBC approached me to replace Tess and Claudia on Strictly – but I’m too busy’

One of the main contenders to replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly on Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed they’ve been approached – but they’ve got bad news.

Tess and Claudia blindsided the BBC when they announced their joint departure from Strictly midway through the last series.

Each week, there’s a new favourite to take the reins, with everyone from Emma Willis and Rylan Clark to Bradley Walsh and Zoe Ball also among those thought to be in the running.

Alison Hammond was widely tipped to be in line to land the most coveted job on television, alongside the likes of Zoe Ball, Angela Scanlon and even Miranda Hart.
In an unusually candid admission from the This Morning host, Alison has revealed she was approached by the BBC to take the mantle but is too busy juggling Great British Bake Off and her new show Your Song coming to Channel 4 later this year.

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Asked if Strictly bosses have come calling, Alison revealed they have.

‘You didn’t expect that answer, did you?

I can’t lie, I’m incapable,’ she told Radio Times.

However, in a crushing blow to Strictly fans, the most lovable presenter on the box said: ‘I’m so busy, babes, that I’m not sure it’s going to happen.

‘It’s unrealistic.

I’m so happy they considered me but, like Traitors, I can’t do it because everything clashes.’
She continued: ‘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?’
It’s not the only shake-up Strictly has in store for its return this autumn.

Already, four professional dancers have been given the chop: Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, Nadiya Bychkova and the longest-serving female star Karen Hauer have all confirmed they won’t be returning to the dancefloor.

Karen confirmed the news to fans on Instagram.

In a video, she said: ‘I’m extremely proud of myself.

Like, “OK, kid, you’re doing alright!”, so thank you for that, for your energy, your warmth, your support; it really stays with me.

‘I promise, I’ll keep showing up, I’ll keep entertaining you all, and I’ll keep sending all that positive, kindness, love back to you all.

Sending you guys a big, massive hug, and I’ll see you guys around.’
Gorka Marquez, another long-standing pro on the show, is also said to have been cut.

The dancer is a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly and his exit was admittedly less surprising.

Neil Jones and Nancy Xu have reportedly been benched again and won’t be assigned a celebrity partner.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year.

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