Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s replacements are yet to be announced
Alan Carr has dismissed the possibility that he could present Strictly Come Dancing. The 49-year-old comedian and his pal Amanda Holden have both been tipped to take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on the Saturday night favourite.
However, Alan, who won the first series of The Celebrity Traitors last year, claims that the job should be given to somebody who “really loves” the show. Speaking to Best magazine, Alan said: “I like watching the show, I don’t love it.
“I think it would be better for someone who really, really loves it. I just think, wouldn’t it be great to get someone fresh and new? That show is so adored and you want someone in there who’s like, ‘This Paso Doble is amazing’ – and I don’t give a s***! So give it to someone else.”
Alan had recently quashed hopes that he and Amanda – who have starred together on shows such as Amanda and Alan’s Greek Job – could present Strictly together as he revealed that the pair had turned down the opportunity “ages ago”. Speaking as the duo appeared on the Table Manners podcast recently, he said of the job: “No, we said no ages ago.”
Amanda has also rejected speculation that the pair will be replacing Tess and Claudia. Speaking on her Heart Radio show in December, the 54-year-old star said: “I want to say now that me and Alan are 100 per cent not doing Strictly. We are so flattered to be in that mix. We both are not doing it.”
As Strictly fans know, Tess and Claudia announced in October last year that they would be stepping down from fronting the show at the end of the 2025 series, which at that time was at the mid-way point.
They issued a joint statement confirming their plans to depart the popular show together, saying it was the “right time” for them to bow out of the beloved programme, before hosting they were later seen hosting their last show live on December 20.
The 2025 series final, which saw Karen Carney and Carlos Gu crowned Strictly champions, featured a number of tributes to Tess and Claudia, including from the Queen, as well as fans of the show. They were greeted by a standing ovation from the audience, which included Tess’ husband Vernon Kay, as they opened the episode.