The quest to find new hosts for Strictly Come Dancing has hit a significant hurdle, with one of the leading contenders officially ruling herself out of the running.
Favourite Takes Herself Out of the Race
Beloved television presenter Alison Hammond has disappointed fans and BBC executives by signing a new contract with ITV's This Morning. The 50-year-old star had been widely tipped as a frontrunner to take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman when they step down from the flagship BBC dance show next year.
Her decision to renew her commitment to the ITV daytime programme, where she presents every Friday with Dermot O'Leary, effectively dashes hopes of her taking up the sparkly reins on Strictly. A source told The Sun that Alison is "very happy" at This Morning and currently has no plans to quit for the dance show.
A Wide-Open Field of Contenders
With Hammond now seemingly out of contention, the search for the new presenting duo becomes even more wide-open. Rumours had suggested Alison was among ten major names scheduled for screen tests next month for one of British TV's most coveted roles.
The speculated list of potential hosts includes a host of familiar faces:
- Bradley Walsh
- Alex Jones
- Alan Carr
- Rylan Clark
- Judge Rob Rinder
- Zoe Ball
- Holly Willoughby
- Amanda Holden
- Angela Scanlon
The same source emphasised that "no one is bigger than the show," indicating the BBC will select the pair they believe best complements the long-running series.
Hammond Claps Back at Critics
Amidst the speculation about her workload, Alison Hammond has robustly defended her prolific television career. When asked by The Guardian if she was concerned about being on screen too often, she responded defiantly.
"No. If I need to rest up or a job doesn't appeal, I won't do it. I'm good at saying no. I turn down 10 things per day, no exaggeration," she stated.
The presenter, who rose to fame after winning Big Brother in 2002, highlighted her 22-year career grind, stating she had "worked hard" to reach her current status. She also addressed perceptions about her visibility, suggesting that part of the reason she stands out is because "it's still not the norm to see a Black woman doing this."
Alison Hammond's new ITV deal, coupled with her clear contentment at This Morning, means the Strictly Come Dancing production team must now look elsewhere as they seek the perfect hosts to lead the show into its next glittering era.
