Ex-BBC boss declares 'Holly Willoughby will take over' as host of Strictly Come Dancing
There are a lot of huge names in the mixHolly Willoughby will soon be announced as the new host of Strictly Come Dancing, according to a former BBC boss.
Last month, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman shocked viewers by revealing they were stepping down from their hosting duties. Since then, a number of huge names have been rumoured to be in the running to take their place – but one name in particular keeps popping up.
Holly Willoughby was the face of ITV for many years. But it seems she might be the one to take over the reins of the BBC dance show…
Holly Willoughby ‘will take over’ as Strictly host
Former BBC One Controller Peter Fincham alleged to the Daily Mail that a top industry insider has told him who is in the running to host.
He said: “My hairdresser also cuts the hair of a well-known channel controller. What’s said in Harry’s the hairdresser stays in Harry’s. But he says with great confidence that Holly Willoughby will take over.”
Holly’s name has been mentioned quite a few times. And if it is true then this will mark her huge return to TV.
The TV presenter quit This Morning back in 2023 following a terrifying kidnap plot against her. But she made a return to present Dancing On Ice with Stephen Mulhern, until it was cancelled last year.
There are no plans to bring it back at the moment. So, it could pave the way for Holly to make the move from ITV to BBC.
It’s believed Holly was actually first linked to a job on Strictly way back in 2023. She is believed to be close friends of some of the corporation’s most senior executives. Her husband, Dan Baldwin, produces major BBC programmes.
Who could Holly host with?
If the reports are true, Holly would still need a co-host. And there have been a lot of celebrities rumoured to be taking the spot.
Most recently, it was reported by The Sun that The One Show host Alex Jones and The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh were in advanced talks to host.
If Bradley was to be the other host, this would mark a reunion for himself and Holly, who are close friends. Back in 2019 the duo filmed a pilot, Take Off With Holly and Bradley. But unfortunately the series was never made because of the Covid pandemic.
However, they did also work together on Play To The Whistle – an ITV sports comedy panel show which ran for two years from 2015.
We have contacted BBC for comment but they declined.
