The former This Morning presenter has been hotly tipped to take over from Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly on the hit BBC show
Holly Willoughby has broken her silence on becoming the new host of Strictly Come Dancing after rumours have circulated that she will replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
The TV presenter, who left her role as the host of This Morning in 2023, gave a 10-word response when asked to address the speculation.
Following the unexpected news that Claudia and Tess are both leaving the BBC programme at the end of this series, viewers have been discussing potential replacements for the long-standing BBC show’s presenting roles.
Holly’s name has emerged repeatedly as a contender for the key position. The former This Morning host has now responded to the speculation, according to the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden.
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Tess and Claudia announced the news via Instagram in October, telling fans: “We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.
“We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show.
“They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last “keep dancing” but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.”
Holly gave her response at the Winter Wonderland preview evening(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
At the time, Holly responded: “Oh my goodness me… just thank you to you both, I have loved watching you over the years… utterly iconic! Wonderful memories … hugest love Ladies!.”
If Holly were to fill Claudia Winkleman’s shoes, the next question would naturally be who would join her next September.
Dermot O’Leary from This Morning, who was rumoured to be in the running, has categorically stated that he is not in talks – saying that joining Strictly would infuriate his former X-Factor boss Simon Cowell.
Another presenter with an X-Factor link, Rylan Clark, has also been suggested for one of the roles. However, Strictly professional Katya Jones believes she knows who would be best suited for the job – former professional dancer and co-star Janette Manrara.
Tess and Claudia will leave their roles as Strictly hosts at the end of this series(Image: BBC)
Janette is married to Alijaz Skorjanec, who recently returned to the ballroom, and she co-hosts It Takes Two with Fleur East.
When asked on Loose Women who she’d like to see take over, Katya said: “Naturally for me, it’s Janette Manrara. She’s done it all – she’s been a professional, she’s presented It Takes Two. She understands what we’re feeling – she’d be the perfect Claudia, talking it through with us.”
However, Katya didn’t dismiss herself from the running either: “I judged Dancing with the Stars in Belgium in the summer, and I really thoroughly enjoyed it. I understand what the contestants are going through and how much work goes into it.”
