Who could replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly as 2025 final arrives?

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly shocked Strictly Come Dancing fans when they announced they were quitting the hit BBC show.

Their departure prompted immediate speculation about who could replace the legendary TV duo ahead of their final show.

The pair revealed their exit with a video on Daly’s Instagram, where they addressed ‘rumblings’ about them leaving.

‘We want you to hear this from us,’ said Celebrity Traitors host Claudia. 

‘After 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton,’ Tess chimed in.

The news has sent shockwaves through the Strictly fandom as the presenting duo have been a staple of the ballroom for the last 21 years.

Who is the favourite? Latest odds revealed

Betting has now been suspended on who could replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly because there’s a clear favourite to take on the big job.

Zoe Ball

Zoe Ball is the favourite to replace Tess and Claudia when they hang up their dancing shoes.

The radio presenter’s name had always been in the mix for the job as she’s got history with the show – appearing as a contestant on the third series, presenting It Takes Two after Claudia left, and hosting the live shows in 2011 and 2015.

However, when she announced she was quitting her BBC Radio 2 show on December 13, it was seen by fans (and bookies) as a sign she was getting ready to take over the ballroom.

Soon after the news broke, betting on who would host Strictly next was suspended with a Ladbrokes rep confirming Zoe was the new fave.

“Radio 2’s loss will be Strictly’s gain,’ they told the Daily Mail. ‘If the latest odds are anything to go by… we’ve now pulled the plug on Tess and Claudia’s replacement with Zoe Ball seemingly a shoo-in for the job.’

Who else is in the running to replace Tess and Claudia?

While Zoe might be the favourite, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other names being considered.

Bradley Walsh

Bradley Walsh is best known these days for hosting The Chase on ITVand Gladiators for the Beeb (although to us, he’ll always be Graham from Doctor Who).

William Hill were giving Bradders 9/1 odds of getting the gig and there were rumours he was in final talks with the Beeb.

A source told The Sun that Bradley had been spotted hanging about the Strictly studio, which ‘got tongues wagging’.

‘Bosses are keen for Bradley to take over,’ the insider said. ‘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.’

So who’s that female presenter?

Alex Jones

Supposedly, The One Show’s Alex Jones was being considered. Like Zoe, she took part in a previous Strictly series, and she’s apparently a huge fan of the dancing competition.

According to The Sun (who else?) Strictly bosses thought she’d be the perfect presenting partner for Bradley.

‘Alex and Bradley are both the favourites to take over from Tess and Claudia,’ a source explained.

‘Alex is a massive fan of Strictly, too, so this would be the dream gig for her.’

While The Sun’s insider fancied Alex’s chances, Ladbrokes weren’t as convinced, giving her just 20/1 odds.

Alan Carr

Ever since he won the Celebrity Traitors, Alan Carr has been the hottest name in showbiz.

We’ve heard plenty of rumours that the comedian was being lined up for a host of presenting jobs once he was out of Claudia’s castle. Yet the biggest show he’s been linked with is Strictly.

Despite several sources listing Alan as a frontrunner for the job, we sadly couldn’t find any specific odds for Alan.

That may be because Amanda Holden went on Amanda’s Heart FM Breakfast Show and told the host neither she nor Alan is taking the job.

‘There are lots of people in the mix, and there’s a huge picture of Alan and me saying that we’re doing chemistry tests and this and that and auditioning,’ she explained.

‘I want to say now that me and Alan are 100% not doing Strictly.’

Amanda Holden

Probably no point explaining this one now… Amanda isn’t doing it.

Holly Willoughby

The former This Morning host, Holly Willoughby, is in the predicted list of people to take over from Tess and Claudia.

She’s a trusted presenter with years of experience and isn’t unfamiliar with hosting dance competitions. 

William Hill were giving the Dancing on Ice host7/2 odds to become the next face of Strictly.

Rylan Clark

Another celebrity who could be shouting the famous Strictly catchphrase, ‘keep dancing’, is Rylan Clark. 

Ladbrokers were giving him 5/1 odds before betting was supsended so he was in the running.

Rylan has a BBC podcast and hosts Saturday afternoons on Radio 2. 

Could he be the next glitzy host? 

Rob Rinder

One person whose name comes up a lot along with Rylan’s is Rob Rinder.

Rob, of course, has presented a few travel shows with Rylan for the BBC, and they’ve got good onscreen chemistry.

With Channel 4 cancelling The Inheritance (remember that?) Rob might be looking for work as well.

So what are his chances? Well, the Daily Mail reported that the OLBG was giving him 4/1 odds.

Alison Hammond

Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off presenter, Alison Hammond, is down as Paddy Power’s sixth favourite to take the presenting gig. 

Ladbroke’s were offering 6/1 odds at one point, but The Independent reported she only had a 12/1 shot at the gig.

Alison has been making viewers laugh since she appeared on the third series of Big Brother in 2002.

Since then, she’s taken on various presenting gigs, including ITV’s This Morning and appeared on reality shows like I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.

Angela Scanlon

Former Strictly contestant and One Show presenter Angela Scanlon is a name that keeps coming up as well.

Oddspedia gave her an 8/1 chance of being named the next host, which aren’t great odds, but she’s not ruled herself out like others on this list.

‘Claude and Tess have the most amazing dynamic, and that’s really important,’ when asked about their chances by The Sun.

‘So there’s, you know, lots of different things to play for, but I would certainly answer the call.’

La Voix

Last but not least, we have La Voix. La Voix, real name Christopher Dennis, was a contestant this year, but they had to pull out early due to injury.

Fans have been desperate to see more of La Voix, with some on Reddit (and the Metro office)claiming she’d be a ‘fantastic’ new host for the show.

Ladbrokes gave La Voix a 7/1 shot at hosting the next series of Strictly.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025’s grand final airs at 7pm next Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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