Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has revealed she’ll be championing two potential presenters to take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, following a suggestion from her mother.
The BBC is on the hunt for successors to the beloved presenting duo after they departed Strictly at the conclusion of the previous series.
Whilst numerous candidates have been proposed to fill the shoes of Tess and Claudia, Shirley disclosed that she’ll be advocating for a particular presenting partnership as a favour to her mum, Audrey.
In conversation with the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine, she explained: “My mother said: ‘Can you not make it happen that Rylan is the main presenter and Judge Rinder is up in the Clauditorium (the platform above the dance floor where Claudia interviews contestants and dancers?)’
“I said: ‘I’ll put a good word in for you, mum.’ So that’s who my mother would like,” reports the Mirror.
Shirley seemed to distance herself from contention for one of British television’s most sought-after roles, emphasising that she’s a dancer “from the tip of my toes to the top of my head”.
She also expressed concern about potentially losing fellow judge Anton Du Beke should he secure the position, given he’s been vocal about his ambitions to present the programme.
Shirley concluded: “Whoever they (BBC producers) pick will be absolutely sensational.”
Tess has been at the helm since the show’s debut series in 2004, whilst Claudia came aboard as co-presenter of the Saturday results programme in 2010, before assuming full-time duties alongside Tess following the departure of the legendary Sir Bruce Forsyth in 2014. Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse has hinted at the prospect of returning to the programme in a presenting capacity.
The South African dancer, who claimed the Glitterball Trophy twice before departing in 2021 to explore new ventures, has been the subject of speculation regarding a potential comeback.
Mabuse made history by lifting the prestigious trophy in back-to-back years alongside EastEnders star Kelvin Fletcher and entertainer Bill Bailey. She remains one of only two professionals to achieve the feat twice, and the sole dancer to do so in successive seasons.
Yet when pressed about whether she might consider stepping into a presenting role, she remained coy, though she admitted: “I love Strictly”.
Speaking to The Times, she said: “I wouldn’t be sitting here without that show. Claudia and Tess are….I get emotional when I talk about it, because they are just so brilliant. Nobody really sees the work that Tess has to do – that show’s live, she’s making sure it’s not running over.
“I think anyone who gets asked to do that job is so lucky and will do it splendidly. The producers will do a good job (choosing) because they know that show better than any of us.”
The 35 year old emphasised that despite the surprising news of Tess and Claudia’s exits, “Strictly belongs to the people” and the show will continue to “survive and thrive”.
