Fleur East Addresses Strictly Come Dancing Hosting Rumours

Fleur East has revealed she’s feeling a little put out at not having been considered as a host for the next season of Strictly Come Dancing.

The former X Factor star has carved a new career for herself as a presenter in recent years, most notably fronting Hits Radio’s breakfast show, as well as the Strictly spin-off series It Takes Two.

While Fleur has been mentioned by some (including us!) as a potential successor to Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the helm of the BBC dance show, she told her Hits Radio colleagues earlier this week that her feelings were hurt to not be in the running for the gig.

“So many people have asked me, ‘wouldn’t you love to do it?’,” she explained. “And I’ve kind of lied to myself that I’d be alright with not doing it. Or not being considered for the job. But I think I’m kind of bothered.”

Fleur continued: “I think it’s OK to admit that being faced with the opportunity of such an incredible job… I mean, Strictly’s an amazing show, I’ve not only had the privilege and pleasure of being on it, but then also hosting It Takes Two and being part of the family, it’s been an incredible job to be a part of.

“So, when you’re within touching distance of something like that, and even considering it for a minute, I never allowed myself to go fully there. But I did think about it, and I was like, ‘that would be amazing’.”

Fleur isn’t alone in her feelings, though.

Zoe Ball had made no secret of the fact she was in contention to become one of Strictly’s new hosts, but claimed recently that she hadn’t got it, leading to her cycling through the “seven stages of grief and rejection”.

Emma Willis is heavily rumoured to have landed the gig, with Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe among those reported by The Sun to be in the mix to co-host with her.

Meanwhile, the future of It Takes Two looks uncertain, with The Sun reporting last month that it could be turned into a vodcast, similar to the BBC’s current companion series to Race Across The World and The Traitors.