Speculation remains rife over who will be taking over as Strictly Come Dancing hosts (Picture: PA)
A former X Factor star is being considered as one of the replacements for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkelman on Strictly Come Dancing.
He might have finished in fifth place on the ITV talent show back in 2012, but Rylan Clark is being touted for one of the BBC’s flagship programmes.
Towards the end of last year, the 37-year-old from Essex joked about ‘being cancelled’ on This Morning after his controversial comments about illegal immigration.
Now, however, BBC sources have claimed that Rylan has been invited to an audition where he will be paired with other potential hosts, including former Strictly contestant Angela Scanlon.
‘Rylan has a long-standing association with the show, and Angela has been a contestant,’ a source told the Daily Mail.
Get personalised updates on Strictly
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
‘But the main thing is they’d be a totally new pairing – no baggage, no former shows, uniquely Strictly.
Rylan Clark is said to be a frontrunner for the position (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
The former This Morning host could be paired alongside Angela Scanlon, who was a former competitor on Strictly (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
‘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.Â
‘Rylan isn’t like that at all. Plus, he absolutely loves the show and the viewers already love him.’
The insider also added that Rylan would ‘bite the BBC’s hand off’ for what would be his ‘dream job’.
Find out more about the new Strictly host
Previously, the presenter hosted the Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two between 2019 and 2023.
As well as that, he has presented on This Morning and has anchored Eurovision coverage for the BBC.
Earlier this week, Bill Bailey backed a legendary BBC star to take over as Strictly host.
Rylan won a Bafta for his series the Grand Tour with Rob Rinder (Picture: Dave Benett)
Claudia and Tess’ last episode aired over Christmas (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Speaking to Metro, he said: ‘I think you have to be good at that whole technical idea of presenting. […] But you’ve got to keep a sense of fun, really.
‘You’ve got to sort of have a bit of tongue-in-cheek because it’s meant to be fun. It’s meant to be an entertainment show. I think Zoe Ball would do a great job. She’d be great, actually.’
This came after the three leading male candidates were revealed to be in the running as a new host.
Who do you want to be a Strictly Come Dancing host?
Want to get bespoke updates on the TV shows you love? Sign up to Metro’s TV newsletters and tell us which ones you can’t get enough of
Alongside Rylan, The Chase legend Bradley Walsh and current fan-favourite Strictly pro, Johannes Radebe could all potentially land the job.
Meanwhile, former It Takes Two host Zoe Ball and Alex Jones are also said to be in the running.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Arrow
MORE: Dame Jenni Murray, longest-serving BBC Woman’s Hour presenter, dies aged 75
Arrow
MORE: Doctor Who fans claim boss has ‘lost it’ after Instagram post
Arrow
MORE: Inside Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell’s £3,500,000 mansion where they’ll raise baby son
Comments
Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google
Add as preferred source
TV Newsletter
Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.