Television veteran Bradley Walsh has emerged as a frontrunner to take over presenting duties on Strictly Come Dancing following last month’s surprise announcement that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will depart the programme.
The 65-year-old quiz show host is believed to be under serious consideration by BBC executives to fill the vacancy left by the departing duo.
Bradley and Barney Walsh present Gladiators on BBC
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BBCTheir final appearance will be during this year’s Christmas special, concluding Ms Daly’s remarkable 21-year tenure with the programme.
Mr Walsh would be partnered with a female presenter, according to sources, with former professional dancer Oti Mabuse, 35, and It Takes Two host Fleur East, 38, emerging as two leading candidates for the role.
This arrangement would mirror the programme’s original hosting format when Bruce Forsyth fronted the show alongside Ms Daly from its 2004 launch. Mr Forsyth remained with the programme until 2013, three years before his death aged 89.
Industry insiders suggest the appointment would represent a return to the traditional showman-style presenting that characterised the programme’s early years.
Bradley Walsh also fronts ITV’s Beat the Chasers
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ITVLATEST STRICTLY DEVELOPMENTS:
The pairing of Mr Walsh with either Ms Mabuse or Ms East would maintain the dual-presenter format that has become synonymous with the Saturday night favourite.
Television insiders have claimed that Mr Walsh’s extensive broadcasting credentials have become key factors in his candidacy.
“Bradley is a real pro and has brilliant experience hosting live shows. His name has come up a few times with execs, as many think he would be great,” a source told The Sun.
The source emphasised Mr Walsh’s broad demographic appeal: “Bradley is popular with both old and young viewers and would bring some humour and an old school showbiz quality.”
Mr Walsh currently presents ITV’s long-running quiz programme The Chase and its spin-off Beat The Chasers. He also fronts the BBC’s revival of Gladiators alongside his son Barney.
While he may be a supposed favourite with execs, the BBC is yet to make a decision on Ms Daly and Ms Winkleman’s replacements. A spokesperson declined to comment on the reports but said the decision on the 2026 series will be made in due course.
Meanwhile, Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball has become the first high-profile figure to publicly express interest in the vacant presenting role.
Speaking on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley earlier this week, the 54-year-old described the position as “amazing” and acknowledged that “everyone would like to do that job.”
“It’s the best Saturday night show… Whoever takes over will have the best gig in the world,” Ms Ball told her co-host. “Everyone’s going to want that job. There will be queues going around the block.”
Ms Ball’s extensive history with the programme includes presenting It Takes Two from 2011 to 2021 and competing as a contestant in 2005, when she finished runner-up with professional partner Ian Waite.
Other names reportedly under consideration include actress Hannah Waddingham and television presenter Rylan Clark.
Elsewhere, former Strictly winning couple Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton have been tipped, as have the likes of Alex Jones, Gethin Jones, Alison Hammond and many more.