![\"Claudia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/claudia-winkleman-and-tess-daly.png\")
<\/p>\nBBC executives are allegedly considering an unprecedented three-presenter format for Strictly Come Dancing as they attempt to revitalise the programme following the departures of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.<\/p>\n
Discussions are said to have moved beyond simply replacing the former presenting duo, with bosses now exploring whether introducing a third host could bring fresh energy to the long-running competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalk recently has turned to whether they could bring in a third host to really freshen it up,\u201d a source told The Sun.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing is off the table when it comes to sprinkling new magic over Strictly.\u201d<\/p>\n
The BBC Strictly finale marked Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly’s last show<\/p>\n
| BBC<\/p>\n
Sources say the field of potential presenters has been narrowed from an initial \u201cgolden ten\u201d shortlist to what insiders are calling a \u201cmagnificent seven\u201d.<\/p>\n
Alongside Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Alison Hammond, Angela Scanlon, Emma Willis and Fleur East, The One Show presenter Alex Jones has emerged as the leading candidate to land a role on the ballroom show.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlex is still very much the BBC\u2019s favourite to land a hosting spot. The Beeb loves her and thinks she\u2019d be perfect to take on Tess\u2019s role on the floor,\u201d the source added.<\/p>\n
Several high-profile names have already withdrawn from consideration. Holly Willoughby, Amanda Holden and Alan Carr were previously linked to the role but are now believed to be out of the running.<\/p>\n
![\"Alex](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/alex-jones.jpg\")
The One Show’s Alex Jones is said to be a contender in the line-up for the next Strictly presenters<\/p>\n
| BBC\/Sidney Street Productions\/ \u00a9 Neil Genower<\/p>\n
The casting process has also experienced delays, with screen tests and chemistry assessments now scheduled for April rather than the originally planned January timeframe.<\/p>\n
BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips has previously acknowledged being \u201cinundated with applicants\u201d for the coveted presenting roles, highlighting the fierce competition to succeed Ms Daly and Ms Winkleman.<\/p>\n
The potential shake-up comes amid wider changes behind the scenes on the BBC show.<\/p>\n
Producers are also reportedly planning a clear-out of professional dancers as part of a major revamp ahead of the 2026 series.<\/p>\n
![\"Rylan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rylan-clark.jpg\")
Rylan Clark is allegedly in the line-up<\/p>\n
| ITV<\/p>\n
Long-serving performers Gorka M\u00e1rquez and Luba Mushtuk, along with newer cast member Michelle Tsiakkas, are believed to be among those who will not return to the ballroom.<\/p>\n
According to reports, bosses are seeking a fresh start after several turbulent years for the show.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are major changes taking place with dancers having meetings about their contracts over the next few weeks,\u201d a source said.<\/p>\n
The insider added: \u201cBosses want a fresh start and to bring in new faces after all the drama in recent years and create a new era.\u201d<\/p>\n
The reported decision has sparked backlash from some Strictly fans on social media.<\/p>\n
Reacting to the news online, one viewer wrote: \u201cAxing Gorka and Michelle over Neil! Truly abysmal decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another added: \u201cWHAT. NO. NOT GORKA, LUBA AND MICHELLE. This is honestly absolutely shocking.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Holly](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/holly-willoughby.jpg\")
Holly Willoughby has been withdrawn from consideration<\/p>\n
| INSTAGRAM\/HOLLY WILLOUGHBY<\/p>\n
A final decision on whether Strictly will move forward with two or three presenters is not expected until the summer.<\/p>\n
The source said: \u201cIt\u2019s likely a decision on whether it\u2019s two hosts or three, and who will get the roles, won\u2019t be decided until summer.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"BBC executives are allegedly considering an unprecedented three-presenter format for Strictly Come Dancing as they attempt to revitalise…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":476925,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[830,96,1598,391,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-476924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-celebrity","tag-entertainment","tag-strictly-come-dancing","tag-tv","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=476924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476924\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/476925"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=476924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=476924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=476924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}