Strictly Come Dancing Host Shake-Up: Bradley Walsh Emerges as Frontrunner
The future of Strictly Come Dancing is hanging in the balance after the shocking departure of its legendary hosts, but a new favourite has emerged to take the helm. Bradley Walsh, the charismatic presenter of The Chase and Gladiators, is now the bookies' favourite to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after he was spotted on the set of the hit BBC dance show.
The Set Visit That Set Tongues Wagging
Speculation reached fever pitch when Bradley Walsh was photographed at Elstree Studios on Friday, November 28th. The image was shared on X by Theresa Hewlett, Strictly's head dressmaker, who captioned the snap: “We had a visitor in BBC’s Strictly yesterday. The Chase is filmed next door and he popped in to say hi. What a lovely man Bradley Walsh is!”
This seemingly innocent social media post sent the rumour mill into overdrive. Fans immediately began connecting the dots, with one X user declaring, "Oh yes, he's the new presenter for sure!" Another concurred, stating, "He'd b great on Strictly," while a third cheekily noted, "Now that's how rumours start!"
The speculation was further fuelled by a source speaking to The Sun, who revealed: “Bradley’s appearance in the studio has certainly set tongues wagging. Bosses are keen for Bradley to take over. He is a real pro and has brilliant experience hosting live shows. Producers need a safe pair of hands to steady the ship amid so much damage. Of course, he’d have a female alongside him as part of a duo. Bradley is popular with both old and young and would bring humour and some old-school showbiz quality.”
A Show in Crisis? The Shadow of Cancellation Looms
The search for new hosts comes at a critical time for the beloved programme. The announcement that Tess Daly, 56, was quitting after an incredible 21 years, alongside Claudia Winkleman, 53, after her 15-year tenure, has left a significant void. In a joint statement, the duo said: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time."
However, their departure has sparked fears that the entire show could be axed. Sportscasting spokesperson Shane Orton told Entertainment Daily! that the odds of the series being cancelled have been slashed to 3/1. He explained, “Strictly Come Dancing is at a potential breaking point. With Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly stepping away, the show will lose the faces that have anchored it for years. And off-screen controversies have cast a long shadow over the glittering dance floor.”
Orton added that a 2026 pause is now a clear favourite, suggesting the BBC might use a hiatus to completely overhaul the format in response to behind-the-scenes controversies and ongoing investigations.
The Contenders: Who Else is in the Running?
While Bradley Walsh is the current frontrunner, he is not the only star being considered for the prestigious role. The BBC is expected to maintain the hosting duo format. Other prominent names linked to the position include:
- Alex Jones from The One Show
- Zoe Ball
- Rylan Clark
- Holly Willoughby
- Fleur East
The Mirror has contacted the BBC for an official comment, but the corporation has yet to confirm any details regarding the future hosting lineup. For now, all eyes are on Bradley Walsh and whether his friendly visit to Elstree was merely a coincidence or a sign of things to come for the 2026 season of Strictly Come Dancing.
