Strictly Come Dancing Considers Male Co-Host Return with Three Leading Candidates
Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly preparing to reintroduce a male co-host, aiming to follow in the footsteps of the late Sir Bruce Forsyth. This move comes after longtime co-hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their departure from the flagship BBC celebrity dance competition series last year, marking the end of an era. Since then, the search for replacements has been intense, with names like Alan Carr, Zoe Ball, Alison Hammond, and Fleur East previously considered frontrunners.
Final Three Male Contenders Emerge for Coveted Role
Insiders have now revealed that Strictly bosses are keen to onboard a male co-presenter and have narrowed the selection down to three final candidates. According to reports from The Sun on Sunday, the BBC plans to conduct screentests for potential pairings in the coming weeks. The final three men in contention are:
- Bradley Walsh, a legend from The Chase, noted for his charisma and ability to tell jokes and sing.
- Rylan Clark, known from Big Brother and former host of Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, who boasts a massive fanbase.
- Johannes Radebe, a current fan-favourite Strictly professional dancer, described as a 'new contender' offering expertise.
A source indicated that all three are eager to secure the role and bring different perspectives to the show. They added, 'The intention would be to team the chosen man up with a female. It will be a return to the years when Tess co-hosted with Bruce, which was a very popular format.' The show's executive producers reportedly see Bradley Walsh as having a style similar to Bruce Forsyth, while Rylan Clark's fan following and Johannes Radebe's dance knowledge are key assets.
Potential Format Changes and Pro-Dancer Shake-Up
This development follows earlier reports that executives are considering a trio of presenters to refresh the format, with comedian Mel Giedroych also mentioned as a possibility for interviewing celebrities. A source commented, 'Nothing is off the table when it comes to sprinkling new magic over Strictly.' However, the new host will face a significantly altered show, as Strictly has undergone a major pro-dancer cull.
Reports indicate that five professional dancers have been axed, including the longest-serving pro, Karen Hauer, along with Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas, who has also withdrawn from the 2026 Professional Tour. Additionally, pros Neil Jones and Nancy Xu have been benched and will not be paired with celebrity partners in the future. Insiders revealed that the axed pros learned their fate through 'brutal 15-minute phone calls,' though the BBC has offered welfare packages. Russian-British star Luba Mushtuk has reportedly 'gone into hiding' to process the news.
Reactions and Calls for a Return to Basics
In response to the ongoing rumours, former Strictly pro Kristina Rihanoff told The Independent, 'If I were a producer, I would give it a rest for a year, regroup and think about what we can do differently. There’s something to say about going back to basics and back to its roots – the roots of the show were pure ballroom and Latin dancing without the razzmatazz of 101 props and 3D projections.' This sentiment highlights a desire among some for a simpler, more traditional approach to the competition.
Metro has reached out to the BBC for comment on these developments, but no official statement has been released yet. The BBC is expected to confirm plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 in due course, as fans eagerly await the next chapter in the show's history.
