Strictly Come Dancing’s double act Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly could be back on the BBC ballroom floor just a year after exiting as hosts.
It will surprise everyone, after the pair sensationally announced that last series would be their final one, in the middle of the autumn run.
They bid a tearful farewell to the BBC viewership at the end of Strictly’s Christmas Day special, leading the room in one last call of the show’s catchphrase: “Keeeep dancing!”
Since then, a string of the top presenting names in the biz have been pitched as potential replacements, with no official announcement as of yet.
But new odds from the bookmakers over at William Hill suggest that there’s a possibility Winkleman and Daly could be back yet, albeit in a different capacity.
Get personalised updates on Strictly
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
It’s currently 16/1 for either Claudia Winkleman or Tess Daly to return to Strictly as contestants.
So they would be partnered up with one of the show’s professional dancers and trained in all the moves they’ve been watching from the sidelines.
Lee Phelps said on behalf of William Hill: ‘Claudia and Tess have been loyal servants to Strictly Come Dancing over the last twenty years, so it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they made a comeback to the ballroom in some capacity.
‘The pair are 16/1 with us for either to compete in this year’s series, so we’re certainly not ruling anything else for the ex-hosts.
‘As for who steps into the hosting role this year, Emma Willis, Bradley Walsh, and Rylan Clark are the latest frontrunners, but expect some further twists ahead of this autumn’s latest edition.’
Who are the favourites to host Strictly next?
These are the latest odds according to William Hill…
In the race to host, Emma Willis, Bradley Walsh, and Rylan Clark have developed a three-way race to be awarded the role at 5/4, with Zoe Ball (9/4) close behind.
Elsewhere, La Voix completes the list of leading contenders at 3/1, with Alex Jones and Alison Hammond each 5/1.
We’re said to be down to the final nine in the quest to replace Daly and Winkleman, with chemistry tests in the diary for this week to determine who will follow in their footsteps.
The auditions will reportedly mimic a Strictly show, with judges and even a live band, to see who has what it takes to cope with the pressures of live television.
A source told The Sun that the presenters in contention have signed non-disclosure agreements to keep all the details about the auditions top secret.
Given the prestige of the ballroom dancing show for the BBC, they’ve reportedly got the broadcaster’s top bosses overseeing proceedings, including incoming director general Matt Brittin.
Metro contacted Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s representatives for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.