Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their departure from Strictly Come Dancing in December, stating it was the 'right time' for them to leave, according to a source told The Sun. The long-serving presenters have been with the show since its inception, and their exit marks a significant change for the BBC's flagship entertainment programme.
Auditions for the new hosts are scheduled to start tomorrow and last until Friday, The Sun reported. The tryouts will take place in a top-secret London location with full-scale dress runs, including judges and a live band, according to a source. Potential presenters have signed non-disclosure agreements to keep the auditions confidential, a source told The Sun.
Sarah James, Strictly's executive producer since 2019, and BBC's head of entertainment Kalpna Patel-Knight will oversee the auditions, according to a source. Incoming director-general Matt Brittin will be kept informed of the process, a source said.
Rylan is really excited. He sees this as a massive opportunity and wants to show exactly what he can do.
Bosses are closely vetting candidates' pasts to avoid any scandals, a TV source told The Sun. According to a TV source, an insider described the selection process as focusing on chemistry and humour, noting that it is not just about reading an autocue.
Rylan Clark is among the final nine contenders for the hosting role, according to a source. Emma Willis is also among the final nine contenders, a source said. Rylan Clark co-hosted It Takes Two for four years and has experience on This Morning, Eurovision, and BBC Radio 2, according to a source. According to a TV source, a source described Clark as excited about the opportunity and eager to demonstrate his abilities.
The identities of the other seven final contenders have not been disclosed. It remains unclear when the new hosts will be officially announced, and whether they will replace both Daly and Winkleman entirely or if the format will change. The specific scandals that prompted the vetting of candidates' pasts have not been specified. The criteria for selecting the final hosts beyond chemistry and humour have not been revealed.