Strictly presenter auditions revealed: ‘Nine stars make up final shortlist as they are set to battle it out in dress rehearsal with judging panel’

by

Strictly Come Dancing is holding auditions for a new presenter this week, with nine celebrities competing for the role, according to reports.

As a huge fan, I was really surprised when Claudia and Tess decided to leave Strictly last year. Now, the BBC is searching for a brand new hosting team – hopefully, someone who can bring a fresh energy to the show while still honoring what we all love about it!

Nine finalists are preparing for a showdown in London. They’ve been brought to a secret location to perform complete dress rehearsals in front of judges and a live band.

BBC executives are conducting private auditions and chemistry tests with a group of high-profile celebrities starting Monday and continuing through Friday. They’ve asked all participants to sign non-disclosure agreements to maintain secrecy around the process.

According to a source, the show isn’t just about reciting lines from a teleprompter. Producers are also evaluating how well the contestants collaborate and whether they’re funny, meaning anything could happen.

Those selected for the final challenge will be carefully observed, and leaders are aiming to reach a decision quickly.

The show will feature familiar faces like Rylan Clark, Emma Willis, Tom Allen, podcast host Angela Scanlon, and Alex Jones from The One Show.

Joining the competition are TV personalities Alison Hammond from This Morning, Bradley Walsh of The Chase, drag queen La Voix from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Radio 2 host Zoe Ball.

According to a source, the producers are prioritizing lively and engaging personalities this year. They’re looking for contestants who have instant chemistry and can maintain high energy during live broadcasts.

The show could continue with its two female hosts, as that format has been very successful. However, producers are also considering other options and are open to changing things up.

Rylan and Tom Allen working together could be really funny. They might even add another host to make the show even more dynamic.

Bosses are believed to be testing a range of combinations and nothing is off the table.

Daily Mail have contacted the BBC representatives for comment.  

It comes as Claudia revealed she plans to watch this year’s Strictly Come Dancing with Tess.

After leaving their roles as hosts of the BBC dancing show last year, there’s been a lot of guessing about who will take their place.

Although Claudia and Tess won’t be hosting the show anymore, the host of The Traitors shared that they still plan to watch the premiere of Strictly Come Dancing together when it returns later this year.

Claudia told The Mirror that she and Tess have already made plans for a meal: they’re having jacket potatoes, and Claudia is having salmon.

‘She is coming to ours, her and Vern(husband Vernon Kay), I am not joking.’

She explained that she’s going to get her daughter a nightgown and they’ll all be there to watch, support, and show their love.

Alison recently changed her mind about hosting Strictly Come Dancing, admitting she would be ‘crazy’ to pass up the chance.

Alison, 51, who co-hosts This Morning and is known for appearing on The Great British Bake Off, has been frequently mentioned as a possible addition to the show.

She had previously said she couldn’t take the job because she was already committed to other television work.

Alison recently told Radio Times that she’s very busy and doesn’t think something will be possible, calling it unrealistic.

Honestly, I’d be thrilled to take part – it feels like a guaranteed path to amazing opportunities. But I’m genuinely content with my life right now. It’s a tough question – what would I even give up to go on Strictly?

However in a new interview, Alison has since clarified her stance on taking over the ballroom.

Speaking to Metro, she revealed: ‘Do you think I would turn down Strictly if Strictly came along? 

‘Who would turn down Strictly! They’d be absolutely crazy.’

Alison explained she was trying to discourage people from mentioning her as a potential contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. She felt the constant speculation was hurting her chances of actually being considered, and she asked everyone to stop discussing it so she could have a fair shot at getting on the show.

She concluded: ‘I’m not too busy, I’m fitter than I’ve ever been before. 

I’m confident I could absolutely take on Strictly Come Dancing. People claim they’re too busy, but I know I could manage it. I want to make that clear.

Elsewhere Bradley Walsh became a frontrunner for the new host of Strictly Come Dancing.

Last week, it was reported filming for The Chase has been halted for ‘at least a year’.

Bradley, age 65, has hosted the show since 2009 and is reportedly a strong contender to become a contestant on the BBC’s dancing competition.

However, sources within the television industry believe the presenter might face a difficult decision, as he also hosts another popular Saturday night program, Gladiators.

Bradley and his 28-year-old son, Barney, revived the popular show in 2024, and it quickly became a ratings success.

The show has run for three main seasons, plus two celebrity editions and a version for children on CBBC. Several of the Gladiators have gone on to appear in other popular TV programs, such as Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Sewing Bee.

I’m so excited about the possibility of Bradley hosting Strictly! But it’s a bit bittersweet, because if he gets the job, he might have to leave Gladiators. That show has been amazing for his son, really giving him a platform as a presenter, so it would be a tough decision.

Read More

2026-04-20 02:51