With Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe all but confirmed as new Strictly hosts, fans have declared their final pick to complete the line-up.
Ever since reports emerged that Big Brother icon Emma was stepping into Tess Daly’s shoes with fan-favourite pro Johannes hot on her heels in a yet-to-be-decided presenting role, buzz over the new faces of Strictly has skyrocketed.
With the BBC still to officially announce Tess and Claudia Winkleman’s replacements for the new era of the flagship show, viewers are placing their bets on who they wish to take up the mantle next.
And a new frontrunner to take over from the Traitors legend has risen to the fore in the shape of the one and only: Mel Giedroyc.
With a wealth of presenting experience under her belt, not least on Great British Bake Off during the height of its popularity, the comedian’s chaotic onscreen persona would wonderfully echo the je ne sais quoi that Claudia brought to the dance floor.
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Not only that, but the TV legend, 57, has long harboured an affection for the BBC reality competition series.
Do you want to see Mel Giedroyc as the next Strictly host?
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Yes! That would great
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I’m willing to give it a chance
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No way – she’s not the right fit
In 2017, she revealed she had turned down being a contestant because she enjoyed the show too much to ruin it by participating.
‘I love watching it so much I almost didn’t want to spoil the pleasure by being on it,’ she told Radio Times.
Then continued: ‘You’re not the comedy old bag yet, which would be the joy of going on Strictly. If I did it, I’d want to be Ann Widdecombe. I’d want to be out there getting the laughs, being dragged around.’
The show eventually pinned her down, however, and she starred in the 2021 Christmas special, which offered further motivation to join the main show line-up.
‘Now I’ve dipped my large, middle-aged toe into the glitter, and maybe I feel differently,’ she conceded to The Telegraph in 2022.
But why not skip that step all together and jump to just hosting the whole shindig?
All these elements mean the Bake Off legend has become the top pick to step into the final vacant spot as the perfect yin to Emma’s yang.
‘I’d love it if Mel Giedroyc is her co-host in the Claudia role,’ IndigoWolf4711 wrote on Reddit.
User elf_n_safety added: ‘Both are veterans of hosting reality TV competitions… Emma fits more of Tess’s archetype, former model, mum, steady hand, while Mel brings her own version of Claudia’s benevolent chaos goblin.’
‘I love Mel and her banter is the best fit for a more natural Claudia replacement without trying to force it,’ glassdear9168 echoed.
‘Emma and Mel would be epic!’ Shn_wttn echoed. ‘Never thought about Mel, but she would be a great choice, would certainly bring humour,’ Automatic-Pie-111 agreed.
Why Josh Widdicombe should be the next Strictly host
Metro’s Senior TV Reporter Asyia Iftikhar shares her argument for why comedian Josh Widdicombe deserves the gig.
It’s clear the BBC want to make a new era for the show, with fresh hosts, new pros and a new vision for the spin-off – and there’s no better way to do it than mixing up the hosting combo.
Both Tess and Claudia were stalwart presenters whose shoes will be filled by Emma. But, if the BBC take a chance on Josh, they open exciting new avenues for humour, a delightfully chaotic dynamic between the duo and may draw in a brand new audience intrigued by such a rogue decision (myself included).
What makes it so genius is that putting his name in the running would never have occurred to me in a million years – and that’s what makes it so alluring.
In fact, insiders shared that her name was reportedly in the mix at one point.
In February, a source told The Sun: ‘The Clauditorium is the section where the dancers go to receive their scores from the judges and decompress after their routines.
‘So it needs to be hosted by someone with a gentle touch, who can use humour to relieve the tension.
‘Mel is seen as a great swap for Claudia as they’re both smart, funny, and have a reputation within the TV world for being easy to work with.’
Although her name wasn’t mentioned in the rumoured final 10 shortlist who underwent auditions, we certainly can’t rule her out.
The BBC has previously shared that plans for 2026 will be announced in due course.
Some stars have officially ruled themselves out, including former Radio 2 host Zoe Ball, who opened up about processing the rejection on her podcast.
Meanwhile, It Takes Two presenter Fleur East shared she was left ‘bothered’ after being overlooked for the job by Strictly bosses, but shared her support for the new hosts – whoever they may be.
Strictly Come Dancing returns this autumn on BBC One.
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