All the female comedians in the frame to co-host Strictly, from Mel Giedroyc to Diane Morgan
Fans and bookies have picked their favourites to fill Claudia Winkleman's shoes
Strictly Come Dancing will be co-hosted by a female comedian, reports over the weekend suggested, with a number of names already rumoured to be replacing Claudia Winkleman in her Clauditorium.
Over the weekend, it was reported that BBC bosses “want a traditional presenter working alongside a more left-field person, a female stand-up comedian”. It comes after Tess Daly and Claudia left at the end of the last series.
The source added: “It’s felt the humour Claudia brought to the show, particularly in her Claudatorium, needs to carry on.”
So, with Zoe Ball and Emma Willis the last two standing in the main presenter race, who’s in the running to step into Claudia’s shoes? Bookies and social media users have some ideas…
Female comedian to host Strictly?
Famous for her roles on Motherland and After Life, as well as her stand-up comedy career, Diane Morgan is a fan favourite to take over Claudia’s role. Bookies also rate Diane as a contender, giving her odds of 9/2 to be named the new Strictly host.
Former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc is the current favourite for the job, though. Bookies at SportsCasting UK have Mel as the 3/1 favourite to get the job. Of course, Mel took part in the Strictly Christmas Special back in 2021, so she has previous on the show.
Aisling Bea is second favourite at 4/1.
Further down the list, behind Mel, Aisling and Diane, bookies reckon Katherine Ryan is a 5/1 shot; Sara Pascoe has odds of 6/1; and Ellie Taylor – who appeared on the show as a contestant in 2022 – has odds of 8/1.
Elsewhere, Maisie Adam (8/1), Sue Perkins (8/1), Catherine Tate (10/1), Judi Love (10/1) and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (12/1) are also contenders.
‘A natural fit’
SportsCasting’s spokesperson Shane Orton told us: “With reports suggesting that either Emma Willis or Zoe Ball could take on the lead presenter role on Strictly Come Dancing, it’s no surprise the early betting points towards a co-host who can complement that style.
“Both Willis and Ball bring a polished, mainstream presenting approach, which makes names such as Mel Giedroyc and Aisling Bea feel like natural fits alongside them. Both combine warmth with quick-fire humour and strong live TV experience.”
However, Shane added: “That said, the shape of the market also hints that producers may be open to refreshing the tone of the show. The support behind Diane Morgan and Katherine Ryan suggests there’s an appetite for a bolder or more distinctive choice. And that could help Strictly evolve its presenting dynamic without losing the family-friendly appeal that has made it such a long-running success.”
Strictly fans have their say
Fans of the BBC ballroom show also have an idea of who they’d like to host it.
“Love Diane Morgan,” said one on Reddit. “Similar to Claudia’s dark humour vibe.” “Hot take. I think Miranda Hart would be perfect in the Claudia role. She’d bring the right combination of empathy and humor, and she wouldn’t make it about herself,” said another.
A third commented: “Siobhan McSweeney – she’s so good on the Pottery Throwdown. She’s quick-witted, she’s funny, and she’s so genuinely caring towards the contestants. She’d be great doing a Siobhan-a-torium.”
“Would love Mel Giedroyc,” said another. “She feels the best fit and has a lot of live presenting experience.”
Emma Willis or Zoe Ball 'to host Strictly'
The pair – both seasoned presenters – are apparently down to the final two to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
They quit the BBC dance show midway through the 2025 series.
New Strictly hosts – Emma Willis and Zoe Ball in two-horse race
It was shared over the weekend that the BBC's supposed shortlist of 10 presenters has now been whittled down to just two.
As a result, it's been widely rumoured that either Emma Willis or Zoe Ball will replace Tess Daly as the main host of the show.
Speaking to The Sun, a source claimed: "It’s a straight shoot-out between Zoe, who is the front-runner, and Emma. Only one will get it. Not both."
Zoe quit her BBC Radio 2 role in December. The move sparked speculation that she could land the role. The star, 55, also has a long history with the show, having appeared on it as a contestant and presented its spin-off, It Takes Two, between 2011 and 2021.
Meanwhile, Emma has a long, successful presenting career. She's fronted shows such as Big Brother, Love is Blind and The Voice UK.
Strictly fans pick sides
"I’m in Team Emma for the hosting role! I always like how she hosted The Voice. She engaged so supportively with the contestants," said one.
Another added: "Zoe is my choice." A third also commented: "Zoe Ball is the way to go…. She’s a familiar face and brings a sense of familiarity and some of the classic feel of Strictly… Not picking her would just be rotten."
The BBC has said that it doesn't comment on speculation. A statement added that any news on who'll be the new host of Strictly Come Dancing will be announced in due course.
