A popular British comedian is now favourite to present Strictly Come Dancing after wowing producers
22:52, 09 May 2026Updated 22:53, 09 May 2026
Tess and Claudia hosted together for years(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy)
A comedian is now favourite to present Strictly Come Dancing after wowing producers.
Josh Widdecombe has reportedly become frontrunner to host the BBC Latin and ballroom show in the coming series after hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s departure from the show.
It has been revealed that a number of celebrities are ‘auditioning’ for hosting duties, with names including Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark and Angela Scanlon all rumoured to in the running.
However, bosses look as though they’ve got a new preferred presenter after he wowed producers. If Josh was to get the job, he’d be the first male host since Sir Bruce Forsyth left the programme.
“Josh blew the producers away with his dead-pan, witty banter. He is family friendly, having helmed several shows now, and loves Strictly,” a source told The Sun, “The bosses believe he will be ideal to take the show into a new era.
“After years as a stand-up, he can handle a live audience and is razor-sharp. He’s not a household name, yet, and so to step into Brucie’s shoes would be a stellar move for his career.”
It comes after Alan Carr broke his silence on rumours he was a contender for the Strictly hosting duties.
“I didn’t turn it down, I was just clumped with everyone and had to say: ‘No, don’t put me in the mix.’ I love watching Strictly, but I don’t love it enough. People are always moaning there aren’t new, fresh faces on TV. Well, wouldn’t it be amazing to give it to a young person who absolutely adores Strictly and dancing?” he said to The Telegraph.
The Celebrity Traitors winner added: “If I rock up on it, they’ll go: ‘Oh, here he is again.’ Why waste it on me? I don’t really know the dances. I’d be like: ‘Oh here they go again, that dance with the legs.'”
In a joint statement last year, Tess and Claudia announced their decision to leave the show.
“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,” the pair wrote in a joint statement online.
“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.”
Some fans are convinced that two TV stars have hinted that they are to take over as Strictly Come Dancing hosts after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left Strictly Come Dancing last year(Image: PA)
Two major TV stars have seemingly let slip that they’re about to become the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts.
The BBC have now announced all the returning professional dancers after a massive number of exits. It has also been confirmed that all four judges are making their return to the BBC show.
The hosts have yet to be announced after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down and there has been much talk about who might replace them, with names including Rylan Clark and Bradley Walsh being rumoured.
Fans now are convinced they know who will be presenting the show – after spotting a telling clue. Referencing the official post to announce the returning professional dancers and judges, one fan noted: “I noticed that they are the only ones from the rumoured 10 to be commenting on the post. Correct me if I am wrong. My dream duo.”
They are referring to the fact Zoe Ball and Angela Scanlon were the only two stars to comment on the post from the rumoured 10. Zoe – who previously presented the spin-off show – and former contestant Angela are hot favourites to replace Tess and Claudia.
One fan penned in response: “Would be two good choices as hosts. Zoe could fill the more serious role (although I still think Emma Willis would’ve been perfect for that but won’t complain about Zoe) and Angela would fill the Claudia role very well.
“The only thing I would say is Angela might have to balance her humour with seriousness a bit more than she has had to do in other presenting roles. But much much better than the other rumoured hosts like Rylan and Bradley Walsh.”
Another added: “I would absolutely not be mad if these were our hosts. Fit the bill for me, and they both know strictly well and how it works,” as a third penned: “Would be absolutely fine with this.”
Tess and Claudia announced back in September that they were quitting the show after the end of this series.
“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. 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 said.
“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.”
Strictly Come Dancing is facing a huge reshape after five dancers joined Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman in heading for the exit door, but one professional seems to have confirmed they are staying
Strictly Come Dancing will have a different line up for the next series
Strictly Come Dancing will have a hugely different lineup when it returns to the small screen later this year, but one favourite appears to have confirmed his position.
While five professional dancers foxtrot away from the BBC show for various reasons, South African star Johannes Radebe appears ready to commit to another series.
The dancer, 39, had seen speculation rise about his future on the show following the huge cull of show regulars last month. Gorka Marquez also became the latest to walk away last week after 10 years on the show. But Johannes looks set to feature in the 24th series of the popular dance contest. The star is currently starring as Lola in the 2026 production of Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum.
And in a chat with The i Paper, he seemingly confirmed his return to the ballroom floor for another year. He told the publication: “‘I live at the Coliseum while I’m in Kinky Boots.
“And when that finishes, Strictly will come around again, so I think I’m just too busy [for a love life].”
Fans of the show will be pleased to hear him cement his place following the exit of a number of big names. Announced departures from the show so far, include; Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Karen Hauer.
Gorka’s announcement was the latest to stun viewers. He took to Instagram last week to share the big decision. He wrote: “After last year’s decision to step down as a full-time professional due to scheduling conflicts between Strictly and Dancing with the Stars Spain, I’ve decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.
“I will always be incredibly grateful to Strictly and the BBC for everything. Being part of the show has been so much more than just a professional opportunity—over the past 10 years, it allowed me to build a career from my passion, find love, start a family, and make lifelong friends. For that, I will forever be thankful.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and shared their love throughout this incredible journey.”
And it’s not just the dancers who won’t be returning. Part way through the last series, hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly confirmed they were stepping down.
The pair released a joint statement to reveal their time is up. And while thee hasn’t been an official confirmation on who will take their place, the rumour mill has been rife.
Among the favourites to take the job on is Rylan Clark. Bradley Walsh has also been speculated, but the star of The Chase previously moved to distance himself from the show.
Christine McGuinness is rumoured to be dating Nicola AdamsCredit: GettyNicola Adams is an Olympian boxer and Strictly starCredit: Getty
Christine and Nicola attended The DIVA Awards 2026 recently, which is an event which celebrates the achievements of LGBTQIA women and non-binary people.
An onlooker told the paper: “They were inseparable and looked like they were a couple.”
The pair now also follow each other on social media.
Nicola split from her partner of seven years, Ella Baig, in March 2025.
Christine shares three children with her ex PaddyCredit: AlamyNicola split from her partner of seven years, Ella Baig, in March 2025Credit: AFP
The Sun reached out to both Christine and Nicola’s representatives for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
This comes after Christine opened up about dating women last week.
“I would love to have a wife one day,” Christine explains on new podcast It Started With A Kiss.
“Not like a legalised marriage, but like a blessing, a celebration of love.
“I’ve been there, done it, spent an absolute fortune and probably aged about ten years throughout it all.
“I don’t want to do that again.
“I would love to just be saying, ‘This is my wife.’”
Elsewhere in her chat, Christine said: “I’m a sucker for a stud and a masc.
“I swear they come for me.
“This one date, well, it wasn’t a date, it was when I did the whole hotel thing and not the whole date thing.
“Because I didn’t want to ever just meet someone and it just be sex, but then kind of did find myself in a place in life where I was like, ‘Do you know what? I actually do just want to do that.’
“I’ve been married, I’ve had situationships, I was single, I was celibate for six months, and with all of that, I just had a moment of, ‘Do you know what, I wouldn’t mind just meeting up with someone and just seeing how it goes.’
“So I got to this hotel and I’m thinking, ‘This is just sex, it’s fine.’
“She was very, very beautiful, like that perfect, pretty, handsome, like masc stud type woman, really gorgeous, dark skin, like she had everything.”
Christine adds: “We’re just chatting away and she said that she was a Gold Star Lesbian.
“So I’m like, love that, love a Gold Star Lesbian.
“I went, ‘Stop . . . because you might be a Gold Star Lesbian, but I’m a Five Star Lesbian.’”
Of her first kiss, Christine is just as open, saying: “The first time I kissed a woman, again after my husband and no disrespect to him, it had been a while.
“I remember that first kiss just being so soft and so nice and so feminine.
“I knew I always felt it and it wasn’t something that I was worried about never doing again because when I married, I married for life, genuinely.
“But I was really happy that I was doing it again.
“And I’m really happy that now I am dating women again and that I am having fun.
“I’ve got some of the best stories, some of the wildest memories, like the craziest experiences that only I and one other person would ever know.”
TURN back the clock 12 months, and Wynne Evans’ life was falling apart.
Being axed by the BBC from his radio show last May appeared to be the final nail in the Welsh tenor’s career coffin after he was sacked from the Strictly Live Tour over accusations of an inappropriate sexual comment.
Wynne Evans was axed from the Strictly Come Dancing live tour following his crude remark to Janette ManraraCredit: PAWynne was then dropped by the BBC following a four-month investigationCredit: Facebook
Devastated, Wynne, 54, told this newspaper of his anguish and despair at being made a “scapegoat” for yet another BBC scandal – confirming what was pushed as a “vile sexual remark” was actually a joke amongst his one-time friend Jamie Borthwick.
The apology issued at the time for the comment was, Wynne explained, written by the BBC and ultimately ended up being the metaphorical sword he would die on.
Friends furiously rushed to defend Wynne to The Sun, and today still pour scorn on soap actor Jamie for failing to defend Wynne when he knew the truth behind the comment.
Jamie, 31, was later sacked by EastEnders four months after Wynne was given the boot.
Wynne spoke to The Sun after the Strictly chaosCredit: Dan Charity / Newsgroup Newspapers LtdWynne Evans’s latest company accounts show reserves of more than £670,000Credit: PAWynne and Jamie, back left, before the chaos of the Strictly TourCredit: RexFriends say Wynne Evans is focusing on work, family and a fresh startCredit: Instagram
“It felt like karma,” one friend tells The Sun.
“Wynne was hung out to dry, and Jamie, who was at the centre of it all, said absolutely nothing. They both ended up losing everything.”
Broken but not beaten, friends explain Wynne has quietly rebuilt his life – and is slowly carving out a life away from the constrictions of his old BBC paymasters.
His property business, Wildvine Properties, friends say, is starting to take off – allowing Wynne to return to what he loves: performing.
“Wynne is made for radio, and his daily show, broadcast from a studio he built in his home, is doing really well.
“He started working on Radio Dragon last month, too, and his Sunday morning show has been really successful.
“His devoted following, who loved his BBC Radio Wales show, have all followed him there, and the audience research has shown Wynne is beyond loved.
“Last month, he was invited to sing at Wrexham FC too, and the reception was so warm, it was a massive boost for him.
“Quietly, Wynne has built up a property business, which includes a three-bed house in Llansteffan, which is hugely popular on Airbnb.
Wynne could have allowed the BBC to cancel him, but he refused to be cowed.
Insider
“It’s given him a quiet income so he can focus on rebuilding and moving on with his life.
“Wynne was virtually destroyed by the BBC and hung out to dry. But he is proof that once the chips are down, you can turn things around.”
But there is no question that his actions were nothing more than ill-judged.
Wynne said: I realise now you cannot make jokes like that in the workplace – it’s deeply unprofessional.
“I’d be happy to go on any language and behavioural course that the BBC wants to send me on. I’d be thrilled to go on a course that could save me from situations like this.
“Society’s changing so quickly, and I’d be the first to say perhaps I’ve got it wrong on occasion. Unfortunately, I wasn’t offered a course like that.
“All I want now is to focus on performing and get back to my radio show – I can’t quite believe I’ve ended up here, and I just hope everyone can read this and know I’m not a bad guy.”
‘Wynne is a good man’
As he started to move forward with his life, friends explained that the support from his loyal fans, affectionately known as “Wynners”, is the people Wynne feels most grateful for.
“Wynne is a good man who has been through hell,” a pal says.
“The fans who have always supported him stood by him, and that means the world to him.”
Wynne’s personal company finances certainly show things are not as dark as they were this time last year.
The latest report for the firm shows Wynne is sitting on reserves of just over £670,000.
He has taken his time and slowly rebuilt his life. He was totally broken this time last year.His whole world had imploded, and at times he felt like he had nothing to live for.
Insider
And pals explain Wynne is keen to continue carving out a new position for himself in the public domain – starting next with a series of four live shows.
The performances are billed as a mix of stand-up comedy and opera, and Wynne is looking forward to taking another step back into the limelight.
“Wynne could have allowed the BBC to cancel him, but he refused to be cowed,” a friend explains.
“He has taken his time and slowly rebuilt his life. He was totally broken this time last year.
“His whole world had imploded, and at times he felt like he had nothing to live for.
“Wynne took baby steps and got himself back on his feet. Now things are really moving in a positive direction, and the future is looking bright again.
“What happened last year is something that Wynne will never be able to forget, and really, he is still processing that.
“But he wants to show people that no matter how bad things get, no matter how many times your name is dragged through the mud, no matter how many people you thought were friends turn on you, with the love of your family and your friends, you can make it through.
“Wynne’s story is one of salvation, and he will be telling it with brutal honesty and humour.”
Claudia Winkleman explains it was a very emotional moment when she left Strictly Come Dancing with Tess Daly last year
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly bowed out of the hit BBC show together(Image: PA)
They will be watching the new series of Strictly Come Dancing together. But Claudia Winkleman says she and Tess Daly decided to bow out from the BBC show because they worried about becoming complacent in their roles.
No one ever doubted the pair loved BBC’s ballroom series. But speaking in-depth about their decision to leave, Claudia says she started to see signs that they needed to go ahead with their pact to quit at the same time.
“You want to leave on a high,” says Claudia. “And you want to leave when you are loving it. We were tiny cogs in this huge sparkly, glittery thing. We were tiny as we had props guys holding Eiffel Towers, the amazing band, the dancers, the costume and hair and make-up and everything else and the lighting.
“We thought it was time to leave. Years earlier they said Gloria Estefan was playing in Blackpool and we were like ‘I cant believe it’. I phoned my husband and said ‘I have to practice the Conga’.”
By then end of their run though, even big names and learning new dances were commonplace. She explains: “We thought it was time to leave. You know, not that I was not excited at the end, but both of us were a bit like ‘Oh yeah…cool. Alright, so then I do that…(routine)’.
“It deserves ‘new’ (change). But what shocked me was, we did the last live show. All week was like ‘We are fine’ but I could not stop crying as it has been my entire life. You know sometimes when you decide something like ‘Let’s move house’. Then you pick up the final box. Not that you have done something wrong but it just feels big.”
For Strictly’s launch in 2026, it will be all change in terms of hosts but also with some things still be the same. Claudia and Tess will be together, but snuggled up away from the cameras.
“Tess and I have already planned. We are having jacket potatoes and I am having the salmon. She is coming to ours, her and Vern(husband Vernon Kay). I am not joking. I am going to set her up with a nightie and we are going to watch and support and love it.”
For many years now, pretty much every TV show Claudia Winkleman has touched turned to gold.
Her Strictly Come Dancing stint on the main show for 15 years, hosting The Traitors and now huge spin off hit Celebrity Traitors too, as well as smaller shows like The Piano which won critical acclaim for Channel 4.
For her other major project The Traitors, Claudia says it requires very different skills compared to fronting Strictly, where she says a lot of the credit should go to Tess.
“Tess did all the heavy lifting on Strictly and I am grateful for it. But on Traitors I had to be strict. I was worried about that. I am in life a cheerleader like if my kids fill the dishwasher I am like ‘Lets film it’. So I am a cheerleader and I am able do that on Traitors when they do the missions. I want to feed them chocolate as I am on their side.
“But I have to get a bit strict like when my kids have not done their homework. I love the game so much so that is how I have to be. The producers did tell me to push it.”
Whilst she will continue to front the series, she admits it has made her more thoughtful about lying and deceit in real life.
“Traitors makes me cry. I am not that harsh. I want the traitors to win and the faithful to get them in equal measure. Also it is a lot of money if it is for charity or for them individually.
I have learned a lot of things that I wish I had not. It has made me realise there is no such thing as gut instinct. It is all about what you tell yourself afterwards. And I have learnt you can know the truth but you can persuade people to follow you and that makes me heartbroken. Will I do a children’s version? No.”
After referencing her kids, Claudia, at a charity Q&A event, is asked more about her own family.
She has been married to film producer Kris Thykier since 2000, and they have three children: Jake, Matilda, and Arthur. But there appears to be no risk of nepo babies in the Winkleman household.
With a grin Claudia says: “I told them to nepo up. One wants to work in hospitality, one wants to be a doctor and one wants to be a chemist. I said ‘I can navigate you work experience’ and they were like ‘No thanks mum.’ They are not interested in film (husband’s work) like they say ‘Not unless it comes in a test tube’. So no. That is not what they have asked for.”
Claudia was giving a rare interview to TV director Ben Winston at St John’s Wood Synagogue in London in aid of Lira Winston Fellowships, which focus on identifying and nurturing Jewish school educators
Asked about her thoughts on rising anti semitism, she said: “How do I navigate the industry? The industry itself does not feel anti-Semitic to me. That is my experience. But the growing anti-Semitism and the growing Islamophobia and racism that we see everywhere is really, really terrifying I suppose.
“I don’t want to say terrifying in front of my kids, but it is worrying. And that is why it is so important that we have got to look after each other and people from other communities.”
Strictly Come Dancing star Carlos Gu opened up about his time on the show and whether he plans to return, following the recent exits of several of his co-stars
09:19, 07 Apr 2026Updated 09:19, 07 Apr 2026
Strictly stars Neil Jones, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer, Amy Dowden, Kai Widdrington and Lauren Oakley
Carlos Gu has opened up about his future on Strictly Come Dancing amid a shake-up to the line-up. Since joining the show in 2022, the professional dancer has performed with three celebrity partners; Molly Rainford, Angela Scanlon and Karen Carney, who he lifted the Glitterball trophy with last year.
Reflecting on his transition from the competitive dance industry to television, he claimed it was “a completely different world” to what he’s been used to for the last 20 years.
Before Strictly, Carlos competed professional with Susan Sun, winning multiple competitions as a well-known duo.
Discussing the industry, the 33-year-old described it as “very challenging and hard”, but also “unstable” as he shed light on the realities of being a dancer.
“It doesn’t matter how hard you work or how good you are, you are the one always being judged and being chosen, your results are always unstable. You never know, today might be good but tomorrow might not,” he explained.
“We worked so hard for 20 years and we made our way there and everybody knows us, we come out, everyone knows Carlos and Susan.”
Reflecting on himself joining Strictly and not being given a celebrity partner in his first year, he added: “Then joining Strictly and not being given a partner made me realise I’m going back again to being chosen, because to have a partner or to not have a partner is out of my control, it doesn’t base on how good I am or how hard I am working, it’s not, it’s purely out of your control.
“I never worked in the TV world, it’s a completely different world,” he added.
Asked by Kate Thornton on her White Wine Question Time podcast about his future on the show, Carlos admitted he was yet to know if he will be returning.
Addressing the news of some of his co-stars leaving the show, he said: “I know we’ve heard, we’ve all seen the news but nothing confirmed by the BBC yet, so we’re waiting. I think they’re going to make the final announcement for all the cast.
“But like I said, being in a position not knowing if you’re going to stay or not is scary. We work so hard in our lives, but those things are out of your hands.”
In a statement announcing her exit, she told fans it was “the right time to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas I’m passionate about”.
This comes after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped away from their hosting duties after 11 years together on the main show.
Luba Muhstuk has been seen heading to her new job after her brutal axe from Strictly Come Dancing and looked full of confidence as she was spotted in London over the weekend
Luba blew a kiss to the camera (Image: JAMES CURLEY AND MAGICMOMENTSUK)
Luba Muhstuk has been seen heading to her new job after her brutal axe from Strictly Come Dancing. The TV star, 36, has served as a professional on the BBC Saturday night favourite since 2018 but along with Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas and Nadiya Bychkova, it was recently announced that she will not be part of the competition series going forward.
Just hours after the news broke,. Luba herself broke her silence on the matter. Taking to Instagram, insisting the time had come for her “step away” from the show, she wrote: “With a heart full of gratitude, the time has come for me to step away from Strictly Come Dancing. I am deeply grateful for the past 10 years on this beautiful show! Thank for you for the amazing opportunities and unforgettable memories. It truly has meant the world to me.”
Sharing that she was now looking forward to the future, Luba continued : “Now it’s time for me to follow my dreams beyond the show, and I’m excited for what the future holds. I can’t wait to see you all on the Pro Tour and I’m really looking forward to it one last time.”
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Over the weekend,, photos emerged of Luba heading to role taking dance classes in central London. Despite the sudden nature of her departure from the series, Luba looked to be in great spirits as she walked to work. This was the first time she had been spotted out in public since news of her axing emerged.
The TV star was suitably dressed for her role at the dance class, opting for comfortable rehearsal wear and let her dark locks flow down her back. She clutched her phone in her hand and threw a series of excitable poses.
Praising Luba – while announcing her exit – the BBC said: “We are incredibly grateful for her dedication to the programme and for always going above and beyond—whether through the care and commitment she showed her celebrity partners or her warmth and kindness behind the scenes. Luba has been, and always will be, a much-loved member of the Strictly family, and we wish her every success in the future.”
Fellow dancers were quick to share supportive messages in the comments section. Among them was Amy Dowden, who simply wrote: “Love you xxx.” Johannes Radebe echoed the sentiment, typing: “Love you darling,” alongside a red love heart emoji. And Nadiya, who met the same fate as Luba in recent days, shared three white love heart emojis.
While she will no longer be part of the dancing on screen team, Nadiya has reportedly been offered a chance to stay on the show in a different role. Speaking to The Sun, a source said: “Nadiya is so recognisable with viewers and bosses felt it would be a real loss to lose her from the Strictly family altogether. After a few conversations, they reportedly offered her a choreography role which she is very open to.
“Obviously, she is sad to no longer be dancing but recognises she will have great scope for more lucrative commercial opportunities now, and can explore exciting new projects.”
The Strictly team has already said goodbye to a number of long-time members of the show in recent weeks. Gorka and Michelle Tsiakkas are also said to have been axed in a bid for bosses to get “fresh faces” in the professional line-up.
And the decision of who will present the show following the exit of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman is yet to be made public, too. Recently, Louie Spence told the Mirror: “With Strictly, people say I should go on there and be a judge just because I’m known as a dancer – but it’s a very different dance genre. Ballroom and Latin is very particular. It’s like the difference between hip-hop and classical ballet…”
Suggesting Rylan and Zoe Ball would make good hosts, he concluded: “Rylan would be great fun [as host]. I love Rylan, he’s got a great personality. He’s young enough to keep going if it’s going to keep going for years.
“Zoe Ball, she’s great. Who knows how many more years a show like that will last? Things are moving so quickly now, with the way things are changing. Whoever gets it, I’m sure they’d be fabulous.”
Strictly Come Dancing’s Vito Coppola sparked a mixed reaction from viewers following his stint on Saturday Kitchen.
The popular BBC programme returned to our screens on Saturday morning (March 28), with Matt Tebbutt once again taking the reins.
Joining Matt on the show were culinary experts Theo Randall, Samin Nosrat and drinks connoisseur Helen McGinn. Strictly star Vito also popped in to whip up a dish, while singer Self Esteem, also known as Rebecca Lucy Taylor, made an appearance – with viewers voting on whether she would experience her version of food heaven or food hell.
However, it’s safe to say that Vito was the one who got tongues wagging, as some viewers seemed divided over the dancer’s presence on the show, with a few taking issue with his loud speaking.
On X, one viewer remarked: “Can’t stand the screeching at this time of the morning.” Another jested: “Can you speak a bit louder please – they can’t quite hear you in Naples…”, reports the Express.
A third wrote: “Vito should stick to dancing and you just know the miserable blonde guest is getting hell.”
Nevertheless, not all feedback was negative as other viewers rallied behind Vito, with one person commenting: “Such happy, bubbly chefs on today. Especially the lovely @Vito__Coppola Food looks delicious too.”
Another fan wrote: “Love Vito.” A third enthused: “Vito seems like such a lovely, upbeat fella.”
This follows Matt Tebbutt’s return to Saturday Kitchen this month after spending some time in Australia. Earlier in March, audiences saw The One Show’sAlex Jones take the presenter’s chair as she was accompanied by Mike Reid, Adejoké Bakare, Bryn Williams and special guest Phil Wang.
While Matt appeared on the programme the previous week, the BBC star confirmed it was a pre-recorded episode as he posted updates from Australia with his Instagram followers.
Nevertheless, the 52 year old presenter was back in charge once more in March as he paused to commend Alex for stepping in.
He remarked: “Before we go on with our usual nonsense, we should say how well Alex did last week. Well done, Alex Jones.”
Saturday Kitchen airs every Saturday at 10am on BBC One.
Nadiya Bychkova has seemingly been handed another chance from the bosses of Strictly Come Dancing just hours after she announced her departure from the series
Nadiya Bychkova is said to be wanted as a choreographer for Strictly Come Dancing(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Nadia Bychkova has seemingly been handed another chance from the bosses of Strictly Come Dancing. The TV star, 36, confirmed on Wednesday that she had left her role as a professional dancer on the BBC Saturday night favourite after almost a decade of performing with celebrities like Blue singer Lee Ryan, Bros star Matt Goss and Chris Robshaw.
A source said: Nadiya is so recognisable with viewers and bosses felt it would be a real loss to lose her from the Strictly family altogether. After a few conversations, they reportedly offered her a choreography role which she is very open to.
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Speaking to The Sun, the source added: “Obviously, she is sad to no longer be dancing but recognises she will have great scope for more lucrative commercial opportunities now, and can explore exciting new projects.”
The news comes after reports of a bloodbath amongst the Strictly professional dancers ahead of the next series. Karen and Nadiya are two of the number of stars rumoured to have been axed by BBC bosses. Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas have all been said to have been axed in a bid for bosses to get “fresh faces” in the professional line-up.
Nadia gushed: “There is something truly special about being part of a programme that plays such a big part in so many people’s lives and I want to thank all those who have sent beautiful messages over the last few weeks and those who have voted, shouted, supported, celebrated and cheered during every series.
“I also want to take a moment to appreciate all those who have helped me along the way: my partners, my fellow professionals, the judges and brilliant people behind the scenes,” Nadiya wrote. “I joined the show as an athlete and a double world champion. Along the way I have learned so much about myself and other people. I have grown, not only professionally, but personally and creatively.”
Speaking about her time on the BBC show, the dancer continued: “Strictly has allowed me to discover new sides of myself, develop new skills, and evolve as an artist in ways I will always be grateful for.
“This isn’t the end… I look forward to being part of the Strictly world for many years to come in ways I am beginning to explore,” Nadiya insisted. “I’ve changed a lot since I first stepped onto that dance floor, not just as a performer, but as a person and I can honestly say I’ve never felt more like myself.”
Looking ahead Nadiya continued: “I’m excited to have time to focus on new projects, and to spend more precious time with my beautiful daughter. Life feels full of possibilities.” She said: “I danced before Strictly, I loved dancing on the show and I plan to keep dancing for many years to come. Thank you for all the love and support along the way,” before signing the message off with a white heart emoji.
The BBC also released a statement in the wake of Nadiya’s announcement. It read: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Nadiya Bychkova for her incredible contribution to Strictly Come Dancing. Since joining the show nine years ago, Nadiya has brought elegance, artistry, and unwavering dedication to the ballroom, and she will always remain a cherished member of the Strictly family.
“Over the years, Nadiya has delivered countless memorable performances, showcasing not only her exceptional talents as a dancer and choreographer but also her brilliance as a teacher to all her celebrity partners.
“A consummate professional, Nadiya embodies the very best of what Strictly stands for. We are deeply grateful for everything she has given to the show and wish her every success for the future.”
Alison graced the Strictly dance floor in 2014, paired with Aljaz Skorjanec, with the duo placing 10th overall. She has now owned up to “breaking wind” during the competition.
The 51-year-old recounted a particular incident from the show whilst appearing alongside Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Sarah Michelle Gellar, comedian Richard Ayoade and Ready or Not 2’s Kathryn Newton on The Jonathan Ross Show, broadcasting tonight (Saturday).
She recalled performing to Robin Williams’ Friend Like Me during week seven of the competition, hoisting Aljaz off the ground at one stage, before confessing: “Oh, it was awful. At the time he couldn’t lift me so we thought don’t worry I’ll lift you, I can do it,” reports Birmingham Live.
“There is a moment where he does a cartwheel and I had to kind of pick him up and then help him over. He goes into this cartwheel and I pick him up and I break wind. I look at him and I go, ‘Let’s never talk about this again.’
“I didn’t realise that he’s quite a heavy guy – it literally took the wind out of me.” Alison has previously spoken about her experience on Strictly, and her bond with her former dance partner, Aljaz.
Amid several scandals Strictly has faced in recent years, including Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice being dropped from the professional line-up, Alison said: “I had Aljaz Skorjanec and he was absolutely incredible and as you know going back into Strictly.
“He was so amazing to me and gentle as well and kind. I’ve never experienced anything bad really.”
Elsewhere on The Jonathan Ross Show, Alison speaks about her new programme, Your Song.
She explains: “Your Song is exactly that. It’s your song that you feel emotionally attached to – it got you through a rough time at school or you know, it reminds you of someone who has passed on. A song that really means something to you.
“People come from around the country and perform it on a stage. People go on stage who have never sung before and they sing a song to a random audience. It’s just one of the most beautiful shows ever.”
The Jonathan Ross Show airs tonight from 10pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Rylan Clark has had various presenting roles on This Morning since 2013, one year after he came fifth on The X Factor, which for some time was a direct rival to Strictly Come Dancing
Rylan Clark is pictured presenting This Morning alongside Cat Deeley(Image: ITV)
It is believed Rylan, 37, would be “a ratings winner” for the BBC programme, which is looking for two new presenters to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The duo left at the end of the last series, following 21-year and 15-year stints respectively, and speculation has swirled about their replacements.
Now, it is thought Rylan is likely to waltz into one of their places, having enjoyed a successful career in presenting since 2013 when he had is first role on This Morning. He first gave gossip from The X Factor on the ITV programme, and then had a relief presenter post before becoming more regular.
An insider said: “He has so many loyal fans. If he gets the job they will most certainly tune in to Strictly. He will be a ratings winner and the BBC know it.”
“Rylan has a long-standing association with the show, and Angela has been a contestant. The main thing is they’d be a totally new pairing – no baggage, no former shows, uniquely Strictly. On top of that, they want to be sure that an all-female presenting line-up isn’t replaced by an old-fashioned male-female duo where the man takes on a dominant role,” one insider told the Daily Mail.
Another source told the outlet: “For Rylan it is his dream job. He loved It Takes Two and the viewers loved him. It would be a no-brainer.”
Rylan, who grew up in Stepney, east London, has already anchored Eurovision coverage for the BBC. The media personality is said to be “very keen” to be paired with Angela, who was a contestant on Strictly in 2023. She was the ninth contestant to be eliminated after dancing with Carlos Gu.
It is believed Rylan still faces screen tests in April so producers can assess his chemistry with any possible co-stars, including Irish broadcaster Angela. Rylan fronted It Takes Two between 2019 and 2023, and he has hosted his own Rylan On Saturday show on Radio 2.
But other names in the frame are One Show host Alex Jones, Zoe Ball and Bradley Walsh, presenter of The Chase. Speculation has already linked the current professional dancer Johannes Radebe to the presenting gig.
As the 63-year-old returns to our screens this weekend, here’s an insight into the life of the fan-favourite actress.
Hollywood marriage
Alex Kingston was married to none other than Schindler’s List and Harry Potter legend Ralph Fiennes, after they met as students at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1983.
They dated for a decade, married in 1993 but divorced in 1997 after Fiennes had an affair with his Hamlet co-star Francesca Annis who was 18 years his senior.
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After discovering the affair, Alex found it too difficult to stay in London and so started a new life in Los Angeles and joined the cast of ER in 1997.
Previously speaking about the break-up to the Daily Mail, she shared: “I was feeling worthless, that I would never find anyone else as good as my husband, which is ridiculous, but I had so little self-esteem.
“Divorce is awful, but it is also something I don’t regret happening to me because it has shaped who I am now.”
She went on to marry her second husband, German writer Florian Haetel, two years later and had their daughter Salome Violetta Haertel.
Their marriage wasn’t to last either though as they separated in 2009 and divorced four years later.
Two years after her second divorce, the star went on to marry TV producer Jonathan Stamp with the pair still happily together.
Strictly
Alex competed in Strictly Come Dancing 2025 with partner Johannes Radebe and proved to be a fan-favourite with BBC viewers.
However, she didn’t get the best critique from harsh judge Craig Revel-Horwood when he jibed that Alex looked like she was having a “midlife crisis” during her Halloween Week salsa routine to Mousse T Fellow’s Horny.
Reacting to the unexpected comment to Prima Magazine, she said: “When I did the Strictly Halloween ‘Horny’ number, I wasn’t fully aware of the scathing critique Craig had given me about looking like a woman who is having a midlife crisis.
“I didn’t realise that he was saying it or know about the follow-through in terms of people saying, ‘That’s just outrageous, how dare you say something like that?’
“It was a little mean-spirited for Craig to say that and also I just felt like it’s exactly the opposite of what I’m trying to advocate.
“It’s like, no, if you want to dance and swing a devil’s tail around and you’re in your 90s, do it. I mean, this is your life. So live it!”
Health scare
Alex was diagnosed with and treated for uterine cancer in 2024 and, after a hysterectomy and radiation, she is now in remission.
The star initially dismissed symptoms including boating as a sign of aging but suffered a “shocking” haemorrhage while on stage at Chichester Festival Theatre.
It was after this incident that Alex was given the unexpected diagnosis, telling the BBC: “I never went down the cancer road in my head.
“It was a shock, because I have a very positive outlook on life in general.
“Even though my body was telling me there was something very seriously wrong.”
Alex added that it was this experience in 2024 that pushed her to say yes to Strictly Come Dancing the following year as “life is too short”.
Alex appears on Saturday Kitchen on BBC One on March 14 at 10am
A Strictly pro who joined the show in 2022 has shared two words that sum up their thoughts on former host Claudia Winkleman, who announced her departure last year
A Strictly pro has shared two words that sum up their thoughts on former host Claudia
(Image: Getty Images)
A professional dancer from Strictly Come Dancing has shared two words that sum up their thoughts on former host Claudia Winkleman. A Chinese Strictly pro who joined the show in 2022 and lifted the Glitterball trophy with former Lioness Karen Carney last year, Carlos Gu was recently quizzed about whether he’d like to step into Claudia and Tess Daly’s shoes.
In October last year, the duo shocked fans by announcing they would be stepping away from their joint presenting duties on the BBC programme, sparking widespread speculation about their replacements.
Carlos doesn’t seem eager to throw his hat into the ring, though, noting that he doesn’t believe he could “ever be a presenter,” but he did have some kind things to say about the former hosts.
In a recent interview, Carlos was asked if he would like to take over from Claudia and Tess, to which he replied that he “didn’t see this coming” and that he loves them both.
He told Best Magazine’s Suddenly Single podcast: “I love Claudia and Tess. I love both of them. They are just iconic and obsessed about Claudia, too, personally. I love her.”
It was then suggested that Claudia was “kooky,” to which Carlos responded: “Very witty, very cool.” And, when it was claimed that the Traitors star “doesn’t like looking in the mirror,” he added that she knows her “value.”
Carlos continued: “No, it’s just, oh, she’s a woman who knows her value, and she knows everything about herself, and she’s so confident with it, which is so powerful. Like, Tess is, too, you know.”
In response to the original question, the dancer explained that he was a “born performer” and would “die on stage,” but doesn’t think he could “ever be a presenter.”
At the time of their announcement, Claudia and Tess shared a message on Instagram that reflected on their time on the show, noting that they “loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.”
It represents the end of a remarkable 21-year journey for Tess, who, in addition to Claudia, also revealed that they were “always going to leave together” and that they felt it was the “right time.”
Speaking on Instagram, Tess shared: “After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing. It’s hard to put into words what this show has meant to me, so here goes…
“Strictly has been more than just a television programme. It’s felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that very first show back in 2004. I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring.
“Strictly has always been about joy, celebration, and bringing people together – and I’m so proud to have played a small part in something that continues to mean so much to so many.”
Strictly Come Dancing bosses are after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman replacements as both presenters left at the end of the last series, won by former England footballer Karen Carney
02:51, 12 Mar 2026Updated 02:54, 12 Mar 2026
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly’s time on Strictly Come Dancing ended last year(Image: PA)
Angela, who has been a reporter on the BBC flagship show since 2016 and more recently has hosted in the absence of Alex Jones, has been lauded as “a top professional”. A source says Strictly bosses are particularly keen on Angela, 42, as they feel she is “BBC through and through”.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left the popular programme at the end of the last series, having forged a successful regular partnership since 2014. Several names have been linked to their vacant posts, including Alan Carr after his triumph on The Traitors last year, but it is now believed Angela will waltz onto the programme. She herself was a contestant in 2023, dancing with Carlos Gu who remains on the show.
A source told the Daily Mail: “It’s looking likely that Angela could get one of the jobs. The Beeb love a regional accent, she’s one of the BBC’s own and she’s no trouble whatsoever. She is BBC through and through and is regarded as a top professional. The BBC knows she is loved as a presenter of The One Show and that is what those making the hire are really looking at.”
It is believed that so-called “chemistry tests” are the next stage, and they are due to take place after Easter. However, sources understand Angela, of County Meath, Ireland, has the right personality to fit in.
“There have been many names bandied around, some of which are not realistic… For Angela, Strictly would be a no-brainer. She might not be a superstar but she would grow with the role,” the insider continued.
Strictly bosses have had meetings in recent weeks as they plan for the next series of the programme, which typically starts in the autumn. It is said managers want at least one of the new faces to have a distinctive regional accent, a box mother-of-two Angela ticks.
Speaking in December when asked about the vacancies, Angela, a former magazine journalist, said: “You know what, I am such a fan of the show and have been forever, I would certainly answer the call.”
Alex Jones herself had been rumoured with one of the jobs, but it is thought she and Angela are reticent about teaming together despite their rapport on The One Show. Zoe Ball, the former host of Strictly’s spin-off show It Takes Two, is also believed to be in the running for one of the roles.
But bosses are also said to be mulling over the prospect of having a male anchor, the first since the late Bruce Forsyth who presented Strictly Come Dancing for nearly 10 years. The veteran entertainer departed after the 2013 series.
