Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have only just revealed that they are leaving Strictly Come Dancing but speculation over their replacements is already rife.
The current hosts, who have fronted the show together since 2014, announced their departure in an emotional social media video to fans on Thursday.
But names to replace the hosting duo are already being suggested, with Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton among the front runners.
Some of the top names in telly have had their hat thrown into the ring for the primetime gig, which will begin at the start of the next series in 2026.
Other names who have been mentioned so far include Roman Kemp, former Strictly pro Janette Manrara and former contestant Alex Scott.
Following the announcement that Tess and Claudia will only 'keep dancing' until the end of this series, we take a look at the potential new hosts...
Zoe Ball (2-1)
The TV and radio veteran is one of the biggest names to be tipped as the new host of the BBC dancing competition.
The mother of two would make a natural fit for the gig as she is well acquainted with the show thanks to her old presenting role on its spin-off, It Takes Two.
Zoe, 54, has been a regular fixture on TV and radio since the early 1990s, starting out on CBBC and then as a presenter on The Big Breakfast and Live & Kicking.
In 1997, she made history as the first female host of BBC Radio 1's Breakfast Show, which she co-hosted with Kevin Greening and later presented solo.
After leaving Radio 1 in 2000, she continued to work across TV and radio, presenting shows like Top of the Pops, It Takes Two, and BBC Radio 2 programmes.
In 2019, Zoe succeeded Chris Evans as host of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, again becoming the first woman to hold that position.
Zoe becoming the presenter or one of the presenters on the show would only add to her already illustrious career in the industry.
She is currently the 2-1 favourite to take on the role after Tess and Claudia leave the show, according to Coral Bookmakers.
Coral's John Hill, said: 'Zoe Ball is no stranger to the Strictly family, and we make the former It Takes Two host the favourite to replace Tess Daly next year.'
Holly Willoughby (2-1)
Following the shock announcement, Holly (2-1) is another household name who has been mentioned as a presenter who would be a good fit for the role.
She is no stranger to hosting a big competition-style show, after previously hosting Dancing On Ice alongside Phillip Schofield.
Holly also started out on children's TV in the early noughties, fronting shows like Ministry of Mayhem (later Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown).
Her most notable job has been co-host of This Morning, again with Phillip, and their natural chemistry secured their fate as a loveable TV duo.
Holly's other credentials include presenting Celebrity Juice, The Voice UK, Surprise Surprise, and I'm a Celebrity when she stood in for Ant McPartlin.
Holly left This Morning in 2023 after 14 years in the role due to personal reasons and has only appeared on Netflix's Bear Hunt and Dancing On Ice since.
Since Dancing On Ice has now been axed it would be a good opportunity for Holly to step into a new role.
According to Casino Bets, Holly is currently one of the joint favourites to host the show.
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton (2-1)
Stacey and her partner Kevin Clifton, who met on the show in 2018, were partnered together and went on to win the dance competition.
Their joint history on the beloved show and Kevin's past professional dance experience makes them a shoo-in for the job.
The couple will be used to working together as they star as a married couple in the 2025/2026 UK tour of the supernatural thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story.
Stacey has a wealth of presenting experience working in broadcasting on hard-hitting investigative films for the BBC on topics like social issues, crime, and women's rights.
Kevin is a dancer, choreographer, and stage performer. He first gained international recognition in ballroom and Latin dance competitions before joining Strictly.
According to Megaways Slots provider Spin Genie, Celebrity PR Specialist Kayley Cornelius, Stacey and Kevin are most likely to get the job.
She said: 'Current odds suggest that power couple and former Strictly Come Dancing champions Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton lead the market to take over hosting duties, both priced at 2/1.
'Since their memorable win in 2018, the pair have remained closely connected to the show, and with their weekly rundowns of this year's series on their Substack, they strike the perfect balance between being qualified, passionate and in tune with the Strictly audience.'
Roman Kemp (3-1)
The TV and radio star, 32, has managed to shirk his nepo baby title and carve a successful career in the industry, working across several major shows.
The son of Martin and Shirlie Kemp began his media career in the early 2010s, working in radio production before joining Capital FM in 2014.
He quickly became one of the station's most recognisable voices, hosting the Capital Breakfast Show from 2017 to 2024.
Alongside radio, he's appeared on numerous television programmes. He was a contestant on I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2019, finishing third, which boosted his TV profile.
He has also presented The One Show on BBC One and fronted documentaries such as Our Silent Emergency (2021) — about male mental health and suicide awareness.
In 2024, Roman announced his departure from Capital FM to focus on new projects, including more TV work and documentaries.
So with his cleared schedule, could he be a good fit for the ballroom?
Janette Manrara (3-1)
The former Strictly pro, 41, is another name that has been bandied around so far and it's no surprise as she is someone who knows the show like the back of her hand.
The Cuban-American star is best known in the UK for her work on the BBC show, which she appeared on from 2013 for eight series.
Janette, who grew up in Miami, Florida, was scouted when she competed on So You Think You Can Dance USA in 2009.
It led to her joining the global stage show Burn the Floor, where she met fellow dancer and future husband Aljaž Škorjanec.
After this she became a fan favourite on Strictly thanks to her warmth, energy, and choreography, partnering celebrities including Jake Wood, Peter Andre, and HRVY.
After leaving the main competition in 2021, she transitioned into presenting, becoming co-host of the spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two.
She presented alongside Rylan Clark and later Fleur East.
Fleur East (4-1)
Fleur, who first rose to prominence on The X Factor, has more recently moved from singing to presenting and has built a successful broadcast career.
She became a presenter on Hits Radio Breakfast Show and hosted The Void on ITV.
Fleur has taken part in several reality and entertainment programmes, including I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2018.
Fleur joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, where she was partnered with professional dancer Vito Coppola.
The dynamic pair became one of the standout couples of the series, reaching the final and finishing as runners-up.
Following her success on Strictly, Fleur’s connection to the show deepened: in 2023, she became one of the main presenters of Strictly: It Takes Two, co-hosting alongside former pro dancer Janette.
A bookmakers said: 'Janette Manara and Fleur East are also at the top end of the betting, while we have seen some early support for Rylan Clark.'
Rylan Clark (5-1)
Rylan, who also started out on the X Factor, is also seemingly in the mix.
While he has also hosted It Takes Two, beyond this he has also presented a variety of TV shows including Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, Supermarket Sweep, and Ready Steady Cook.
On radio, Rylan has presented shows on BBC Radio 2 and appears regularly on panel shows and reality TV specials.
Alex Scott (4-1)
Alex, known for Football Focus and The One Show, is also in contention at 4-1.
Former pro footballer Alex, 41, was a contestant on the show in 2019, when she paired up with Neil Jones and finished in fifth place.
Although Alex had no formal dance training before joining, her athleticism, discipline, and determination helped her quickly pick up ballroom and Latin styles.
She impressed the judges and audience with her commitment and progress throughout the competition, ultimately reaching the semi-finals.
Alex significantly expanded her media career beyond sports broadcasting after appearing on the Saturday night show.
She became a familiar face on mainstream television, presenting and guest-hosting a variety of shows.
Notably, she co-presented The One Show on BBC One and appeared as a panelist on popular programmes like Loose Women.
She also continued her work as a football pundit, featuring regularly on Sky Sports, BBC Sport, and Amazon Prime Video, covering major football events including the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
Elsewhere, Stacey Solomon 7-1, Maya Jama 8-1, Emma Willis 10-1, and AJ Odudu 12-1 are considered outside options.
Ollie Ring, spokesperson for Casino Beats, said: 'The departure of both Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly marks the end of an era for Strictly Come Dancing, and naturally speculation has gone into overdrive about who could take the reins next.'
It comes after Claudia, 53, who also hosts BBC series The Traitors and spin-off Celebrity Traitors, and Tess, 56, sat side by side in the clip that confirmed their exit.
Speaking to the camera, Claudia began: 'There have been some rumblings and we want you to hear this from us.'
Tess chimed in: 'We have news, after 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton.'
'The very sparkly baton!' Claudia laughed, before turning to her co-star and pal to add: 'You've been here since the beginning.'
Tess replied, pointing to Claudia: 'With Bruce, lovely Bruce [Forsyth], and that was over two decades ago but a lot of the time has been with you.
'It's been a huge part of our lives since our children were literally babes in arms, and now they're adults, and I think genuinely we have cherished every second.'
Claudia continued: 'We have, we're so lucky to have been part of this amazing show and we just want to thank the Strictly team, because Strictly is the people who make it.'
The duo penned under the video: 'We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.
'We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show.
'They're the most brilliant team and we'll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last 'keep dancing' but we will continue to say it to each other.
'Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.'
In her own statement, Tess added: 'After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.
'It's hard to put it into words what this show has meant to me, so here goes...
'Strictly has been more than just a television programme, it's felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that first show back in 2004.
'I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring.
'Strictly has always been about joy, celebration, and bringing people together, and I'm so proud to have played a small part in something that continues to mean so much to so many.
'I have always been in awe of our superbly talented professional dancers, our magnificent judges, and all the celebrities who have taken part.
'I absolutely adore our brilliant crew, every single member of the Strictly team who have worked so tirelessly to make this show what it is.
'Thank you for the laughter, the friendship, the countless memories over all these years. You've filled my heart in ways I'll never forget. I'll miss you all so much.
'And to you, the viewers at home, the biggest thank you of all, thank you for welcoming us into your homes for over two decades.
'To my beloved Claud, what an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you. You're one of a kind, and I'll treasure every giggle, every live show, and every backstage moment we've shared.
'This isn't a goodbye to glitter, sequins or Saturday night sparkle (I could never say goodbye to those!). Strictly will forever hold a special place in my heart, but it does feel like the right time to hand over the reins.'
Claudia went on to post a series of behind-the-scenes snaps of her and Tess working together on the show as she too paid tribute to her time on the series.
She penned: 'It's very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It's been the greatest relationship of my career.
'From working on It Takes Two in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for.
'I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don't know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to cohosting on Saturday nights.
'Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it's been a privilege to be a tiny part of it.
'The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives - all utterly amazing.
'I've always believed it's best to leave a party before you're fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights.
'As for Tess - I'm so so lucky I got to stand next to you. You're funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.'
