Strictly hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman quit

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 multiple reports. The BBC has now begun the search for their replacements, with chemistry tests for potential new hosts scheduled for this week. Auditions will start tomorrow and last until Friday, taking place at a top-secret London location. The auditions will be full-scale dress runs mimicking a live Strictly show, complete with judges and a live band. Potential presenters have signed NDAs to keep the tryouts confidential.

The final nine contenders for the hosting role include Rylan Clark, Zoe Ball, and Emma Willis, according to multiple reports. Rylan Clark is among the final nine contenders and has co-hosted It Takes Two for four years. Emma Willis is reportedly 'keen to wow in front of the cameras' during auditions. An insider said: "It's not just about reading autocue. They'll be looking at how people work together, and humour is a massive part of it. There's everything to play for."

Sarah James, executive producer of Strictly since 2019, and Kalpna Patel-Knight, BBC's head of entertainment, will oversee the auditions. Incoming director-general Matt Brittin will be kept in the loop regarding the auditions. A TV source said: "The crown jewel of the BBC, it needs to be handled with the utmost care. Bosses are taking a very keen interest."

Bosses are closely vetting candidates' pasts to avoid any scandals, according to multiple reports. A source said: "Rylan is really excited. He sees this as a massive opportunity and wants to show exactly what he can do." The identities of the other final nine contenders remain unknown, as does the exact timeline for the selection process after the auditions. It is also unclear whether the new hosts will replace both Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, or if there is a possibility of only one replacement.