BBC presenting favourite ‘in final talks’ to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly

A BBC presenting stalwart is said to be nearing final stages of talks with bosses to host the next series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Alex Jones is best known for her nightly hosting role on The One Show, a gig she took over from Christine Lampard in 2010.

But it’s now been claimed that she’s got her sights on something with a bit more sparkle, as the new hot favourite to be a replacement for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

In October, Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, shocked the nation by confirming that the 2025 series of Strictly would be their last as a presenting duo. Tess began fronting the show alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth in 2004, before Claudia joined her in 2010.

Since their announcement, speculation has been rife about who will take their place, with names including former It Takes Two host Zoe Ball and even current contestant La Voix in the running.

According to TV insiders, however, higher-ups are keen to book Alex, 48, for 2026.

It comes after The Chase host Bradley Walsh, 65, was also reported to be in conversations with bosses, as Strictly looks set for a total revamp.

A source told The Sun: ‘Alex and Bradley are both the favourites to take over from Tess and Claudia.

‘They have been in the BBC’s sights for some time, as Tess and Claudia’s exit plan has been known for a while.’

As for the dynamic the possible duo could bring to screens, they added: ‘Bradley and Alex are both seen as accomplished broadcasters. He brings the wisecracks, and Alex is the calm head who knows how to handle live situations after 15 years of co-hosting The One Show.

‘Alex is a massive fan of Strictly, too, so this would be the dream gig for her.’

It’s still early days, though, with the insider stating that while ‘nothing is set in stone yet’, discussions involving the pair are ‘moving in a really positive direction’.

As well as being an avid Strictly viewer and interviewing its stars, pros, and judges on The One Show, Alex is no stranger to the studio, having been a contestant herself.

She took part in the competition in 2011, when she was paired to James Jordan.

Together, they came within touching distance of Glitter Ball glory, reaching the semi-final before they were eliminated in fifth place. The series was then won by McFly’s Harry Judd.

Outside of her near-victory on Strictly and One Show tenure, Alex has fronted Tumble (2014), Shop Well for Less? (2016–2020), Making Babies (2023), and Saturday Kitchen (2023), to name a few.

She also received praise for her BBC documentary Fertility and Me, in which she explored the issues surrounding fertility and the pioneering science helping people struggling.

Meanwhile, the loss of Tess and Claudia from the Strictly family is going to be a ‘big change’ for all, insiders have said.

So while the show is keen to maintain its loyal viewership without too many tweaks, it’s also looking to ‘freshen things up’.

An insider added further: ‘The show will keep its key components like the set, the theme tune and the judging set-up – nothing to cause die-hard fans to kick off.

‘But they want to freshen it up, maybe with a new-look logo and new faces on the dance floor. Bringing in Cynthia Erivo as a guest mentor for Movie Week was a taste of what’s to come.

‘New hosts and a few minor improvements and changes will breathe some life into it again.’

In their initial announcement about their joint Strictly exits, Tess and Claudia stressed that they had always planned to exit ‘together’.

In a video message posted on Instagram, they said: ‘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.’

With latter reports claiming they told bosses of their plans last year, the pair added: ‘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.’

The BBC has been contacted for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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