Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will depart their hosting roles on Strictly Come Dancing at the end of the current series. Following their announcement in October, speculation has been rife about their successors. Fans have recently focused on Zoe Ball, a former contestant and host of the Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, following the news of her stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 Saturday lunchtime show. Ball's final regular show will air on December 20th, though she will continue to host specials. Emma Willis has been announced as Ball's replacement on BBC Radio 2, starting in January 2026.
Several Strictly fans believe Ball's departure from her radio show will free up her Saturdays, making her available to co-host Strictly Come Dancing next autumn. Social media posts indicate a strong fan desire for Ball to return to the main show, with some suggesting Rylan Clark as a potential co-host. Other rumored candidates for the hosting positions include Janette Manrara, Fleur East, Hannah Waddingham, Rylan Clark, and Oti Mabuse. A representative for Strictly has declined to comment on the speculation.