presenter

Alan Carr, who won The Celebrity Traitors in November, was earlier this month as narrow as 3/1 to become a new face of Strictly Come Dancing following the exits of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman

Comedian Alan Carr is said to be out of the running to become the new Strictly Come Dancing host.

The presenter, who won The Celebrity Traitors last month, is understood to be on tour when Strictly airs in 2027. He had been tipped to replace either Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, whose last programme was last week’s Christmas special.

Broadcasters are reportedly “gutted” they have been unable to sign Carr, 49, whose popularity has soared since his The Celebrity Traitors win. However, it is understood the comedian cannot rearrange his 2027 tour, many dates of which have already been sold out.

A BBC source said: “Alan is out of the Golden Ten possible hosts and won’t be taking part in the tests the BBC are gutted. He was their favourite to take on one of the positions but he’s spoken with the BBC and basically he cannot move his tour. The dates which are scheduled for 2027 are not able to be rearranged and Alan has had to choose. The BBC understand his position but they are hugely disappointed.”

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The BBC is now believed to be interested in luring 37-year-old Rylan Clark, who used to present sister programme It Takes Two on BBC Two. Clark, a regular face on This Morning, is now 5/2 with some bookmakers to replace either Daly or Winkleman.

The source told The Sun: “They thought Alan would be such a great choice for the job. Rylan has now replaced Alan as one of their top choices, it will come down to how Rylan gets on in the chemistry tests.”

Alan, whose comedy chat show Alan Carr: Chatty Man ended in 2016 after seven years, has 90 dates scheduled for his UK and Ireland tour in 2027, including gigs in London, Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh. However, the second leg of the tour begins in September and runs right the way through to November, which clashes with Strictly.

At 3/1 last week, Alan was one of three names who were the frontrunners, with Bradley Walsh and Alex Jones also favourites. According to reports, contenders will be put through a series of partner-swap chemistry tests, with BBC executives keen to find the perfect on-screen pairing.

Speaking previously, an insider told The Sun: “Replacing Claudia and Tess is a mammoth task but the BBC have whittled down the talent to ten people.

“As well as Bradley, Alex and Alan, Rylan Clark, Rob Rinder, Zoe Ball, and Holly Willoughby will be at the chemistry day. Amanda Holden, Alison Hammond, and Angela Scanlon have made the cut too.”

SIR Humphrey Burton, an award winning classical music broadcaster and BBC Radio 3 presenter, has died at age 94.

The prolific broadcaster, author and director died peacefully at home today with his family by his side.

Sir Humphrey had a celebrated career in the arts including as head of the BBC’S music and arts in the 1970s and 80s where he hosted the BBC‘s Omnibus and In Performance arts programmes.

He went onto found the BBC‘s Young Musician of the Year award in 1978 which helped to spotlight young talent, including famed violinist Nicola Benedetti.

In a statement, his family said: “He was deeply loved by his children and grandchildren, and his commitment to spreading the joy of classical music was so inspiring.”

It continued: “He will be missed beyond words. We take comfort in knowing he is now at peace.”

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Sir Humphrey was knighted in 2020 for services to classical music and the arts.

His daughter, Clare Dibble, announced the news on X: “It is with great sadness that I report the passing of my father, Sir Humphrey Burton 25.3.31-17.12.25, at 05.15 this morning at home with family by his side. A huge influence on several generations of arts programme makers, he will be missed beyond word.”

BBC Radio 3 then said in a tribute on social media: “He was a much-loved classical music broadcaster and had a huge influence on generations or arts programme-makers.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Classic FM, where he worked as a presenter on multiple programmes, said he “helped shape a golden age of classical music on television and radio“.

Sir Humphrey helped with programmes on Leonard Bernstein and Yehudi Menuheim, both influential figures he had personal and professional relationships with.

These programmes “introduced multiple generations to classical music with the trademark enthusiasm that made his name synonymous with arts broadcasting,” said Classic FM in a tribute.

His programme, Burnstein on Beethoven: A Celebration in Vienna won an Emmy Award in 1972 and he went onto win again in 1988 for the Great Performances episode Celebrating Gershwain.

This was part of a 20 year friendship with the composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein which saw the broadcaster direct 170 documentaries and filmed concerts.

Sir Humphrey was born in Towbridge Wiltshire in 1931 and became one the broadcasting industry’s most influential presenters.

He studied music and history at Fitzwilliam House, Cambridge before joining BBC Radio as a trainee studio manager in 1955.

Sam Jackson, the controller of BBC Radio 3 and BBC Proms said he was fortunate to work with Sir Humphrey and described him as a “a man so full of grace, warmth, and brilliant anecdotes.”

Suzy Klein, Head of Arts and Classical Music TV at the BBC, told The Sun: “In the history of arts and classical music broadcasting, there are few figures as influential as Sir Humphrey Burton.

“His vision, ambition and ability to forge partnerships across borders brought world-class opera, classical music and arts programming into the homes of many millions. Humphrey leaves an enormous legacy at the BBC and beyond, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

The Royal Philharmonic Society said Sir Humphrey’s renowned work set a “gold-standard” which engaged millions with music.

“Few have done so much to proclaim classical music’s wonders” it added.

Alongside radio, Burton helped the launch of BBC Two in April 1964 before he became the BBC’s first Head of Music and Arts a year later. He later founded London Weekend Television.

He won a BAFTA (then SFTA) for creativity in music programming in 1965.

Until 1988 Sir Humphrey was editor of performance programmes and director of Proms. He also directed opera relays from the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Glyndebourne and Scottish Opera.

Sir Humphrey married Gretel Davis in 1957 but the couple later divorced and he married Swedish radio and television presenter Christina Hansegård in 1970.

He is survived by his six children: Chris Hockey, Clare Dibble, Matthew Burton, Helena Burton, Lukas Burton and Clemency Burton-Hill.