The world of ballroom has been rocked by the news that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are stepping down as hosts of Strictly Come Dancing. The legendary presenting duo announced their departure in a video posted to Daly's Instagram on December 20, 2025, sending shockwaves through the show's devoted fanbase.
The End of an Era on the Dancefloor
In the emotional clip, the pair addressed the growing rumours directly. "We want you to hear this from us," said Claudia Winkleman, who also hosts Celebrity Traitors. Tess Daly then confirmed the monumental decision, stating, "After 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton." Their final show is set to be the 2025 grand final, airing on Saturday at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Their exit marks the end of a 21-year tenure that made them a staple of Saturday night television. The announcement has immediately sparked intense speculation and betting frenzy about who will take up the coveted role of leading the glittering competition.
Bookies' Favourite Emerges as Betting is Suspended
All eyes are now on the frontrunner to fill their dancing shoes. Zoe Ball has emerged as the clear favourite, so much so that leading bookmaker Ladbrokes suspended betting on the next host. A spokesperson for the firm told the Daily Mail, "Radio 2's loss will be Strictly's gain... we've now pulled the plug on Tess and Claudia's replacement with Zoe Ball seemingly a shoo-in for the job."
Ball's credentials are strong. She was a contestant on the show's third series, previously hosted the companion show It Takes Two, and has fronted the live tour. Her announcement on December 13 that she was leaving her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show was seen by many as a sign she was clearing her schedule for the Strictly role.
Other Contenders in the Running
While Zoe Ball leads the pack, a host of other famous faces are being touted as potential replacements, either as a solo host or as part of a new duo.
Bradley Walsh, the host of ITV's The Chase and the BBC's Gladiators, was given 9/1 odds by William Hill. Rumours suggested he was in final talks with the BBC, with a source telling The Sun that bosses saw him as "a safe pair of hands to steady the ship." The same report suggested Alex Jones from The One Show was being lined up as his potential co-host, though Ladbrokes rated her chances at 20/1.
Other notable names in the frame include:
- Rylan Clark (5/1 with Ladbrokes) – A BBC regular and Radio 2 presenter.
- Rob Rinder (4/1 according to OLBG) – Known for his chemistry with Rylan on travel shows.
- Alison Hammond (6/1 with Ladbrokes) – The popular This Morning and Great British Bake Off host.
- Holly Willoughby (7/2 with William Hill) – The former This Morning and Dancing on Ice presenter.
- Angela Scanlon (8/1) – A former Strictly contestant and The One Show host who said she "would certainly answer the call."
- La Voix (7/1) – The drag performer and 2025 contestant who had to withdraw early, but has strong fan support.
One name that has been ruled out is Alan Carr. His Celebrity Traitors co-star Amanda Holden used her Heart FM breakfast show to definitively state, "I want to say now that me and Alan are 100% not doing Strictly."
The search for new hosts represents one of the biggest shake-ups in the show's history. As the BBC looks to appoint successors capable of maintaining Strictly's magic, the decision will be closely watched by millions of viewers who have grown up with Tess and Claudia at the helm of the ballroom.
