Dermot O'Leary has dismissed speculation that he is in talks to become the new host of Strictly Come Dancing, following the announcement that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will leave the show after this series.
The 52-year-old This Morning presenter, who previously hosted The X Factor for many years, gave a one-word response when asked about the rumours on Ireland's The Six O'Clock Show. “Deny,” he said, adding that taking the role would be akin to “Julia Roberts in Sleeping With The Enemy” for an X Factor veteran.
When co-host Brian Dowling suggested Simon Cowell would not approve, O'Leary agreed: “Even though the show's not on TV anymore, he'd still hunt me down!” O'Leary hosted The X Factor from 2008 to 2014 and returned for its final three series.
Other names tipped for the role include Holly Willoughby and Alex Jones. Former BBC One Controller Peter Fincham told the Daily Mail that his hairdresser, who cuts the hair of a well-known channel controller, believes Holly Willoughby will take over. This would mark a comeback for Willoughby, who left This Morning in 2023.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday at 6.55pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
