Strictly fans beg 'no' as Tess and Claudia's replacements 'revealed' by BBC director

One of the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts might have been leaked by former BBC director Peter Fincham in a bombshell move. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman quit the programme last month, announcing that the 2025 series and Christmas special will be their last stints on the BBC show.

Speculation has been rife as to who will step in to replace the iconic duo, with Tess stepping back after an epic 21 years and Claudia after 11. Claudia originally replaced Bruce Forsyth in 2014, but presented It Takes Two from 2004 and the results show from 2010.

Now new reports have claimed that it will be former Dancing on Ice presenter Holly Willoughby who will take over from Tess and Claudia.

Peter Fincham, who was director of the BBC from 2005 until 2007 and ITV manager from 2008 until 2016, told the Daily Mail: "My hairdresser also cuts the hair of a well-known channel controller. What's said in Harry's the hairdresser stays in Harry's. But he says with great confidence that Holly Willoughby will take over."

According to reports, Holly will take over in 2026 from the start of the next series. Despite her longstanding connection with ITV, she has done work for the BBC before, presenting Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof on BBC One.

Meanwhile, head Strictly judge Shirley Ballas has confessed that her mum wants Rylan Clark to take over, after his stints presenting It Takes Two. She said: "If my mother had her way, it would be Rylan Clark who replaces them."

Other names floated have included Bradley Walsh, Mel and Sue, Stephen Mulhern and Janette Manrara.

Fans aren't happy with the rumours Holly could step in, with one Reddit user fuming: "Please no!" as someone else said: "Urgh I sure hope not."

Others were more positive, with one writing: "No doubt she would be great as she has the experience!" Another echoed: "She has the experience and capability to do it but I think it is highly unlikely given her long stint presenting the rival show Dancing on Ice."