The BBC has not yet officially confirmed who will host the next series of Strictly Come Dancing , so there is no final answer right now.

Current confirmed changes

  • Long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have stepped down after more than a decade fronting the main show.
  • Claudia is moving on to present a new BBC chat programme, The Claudia Winkleman Show , launching in spring 2026, which confirms she will not be returning to host Strictly.

Who is rumoured to host?

Entertainment press and insiders report that:

  • Comedian Alan Carr was at one point seen as a leading contender but has now pulled out of the running because of clashes with his touring schedule.
  • Rylan Clark is now widely reported as a key frontrunner, with reports that BBC bosses are putting him through on-screen “chemistry tests” with other potential co-hosts.
  • Other names frequently mentioned include Holly Willoughby, Roman Kemp, Alex Scott, Bradley Walsh, Zoe Ball, Alison Hammond, Angela Scanlon and Amanda Holden, but all of these remain speculative rather than confirmed.

What is officially known vs speculation?

  • Officially known: Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have left; no replacement hosting duo has been announced by the BBC yet.
  • Strong rumours but not confirmed: Rylan Clark is often described as the current favourite, especially after Alan Carr’s reported withdrawal.
  • Pure fan/press speculation: Shortlists of other presenters are circulating in tabloids and forums, but there has been no formal confirmation from the broadcaster.

Live tour hosting (not the TV show)

To avoid confusion with the main TV show:

  • The 2026 Strictly Come Dancing Live tour will be hosted by Janette Manrara, with Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood on the judging panel. This is for the arena tour, not the BBC One series.

Bottom note

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.