Amanda Holden is among the many names being speculated as potential successors to Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who announced their exit from the show in October
Amanda Holden has spoken out about speculation linking her and Alan Carr to potentially hosting Strictly Come Dancing next year. Following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s departure announcement after 14 years of hosting together, numerous celebrity names have been thrown into the mix as potential replacements.
Amanda and Alan, who currently co-present their popular BBC travel programme, are among those being discussed. Now, according to The Sun, the pair will take part in a “chemistry testing” session, where bosses will evaluate potential new hosts.
“Replacing Claudia and Tess is a mammoth task, but the BBC have whittled down the talent to ten people,” a source revealed to the publication.
“As well as Bradley [Walsh], Alex [Jones] and Alan, Rylan Clark, Rob Rinder, Zoe Ball and Holly Willoughby will be at the chemistry day.
“Amanda Holden, Alison Hammond and Angela Scanlon have made the cut too. They will go to a studio and be put into different pairs to see who works together best,” the source continued.
Speaking on her Heart Radio Breakfast Show with Jamie Theakston on Monday, Amanda set the record straight.
When questioned about the report by the programme’s showbiz correspondent Ashley Roberts, the 54-year-old stated: “There’s lots of people in the mix and there’s a huge picture of me and Alan saying we’re doing chemistry tests and this and that, and auditioning.
“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 love Strictly, we watch Strictly, obviously we work for the BBC with the Amanda and Alan Show.
“But, we are not doing it, we are both not doing it. I do Britain’s Got Talent and take up a lot of weekends with that. Alan’s career has just blown up, even more because of The Traitors, so yes, take our names off the list because we’re not doing it.”
After Jamie double-checked her certainty, she confirmed: “100 per cent,” before adding: “Who are we doing a chemistry test with? We’re past that, but good luck to anyone in the mix.”
Alan has also recently addressed speculation about potentially replacing Tess or Claudia, telling the Daily Mail: “I know my name’s been bandied about. It’s nice to be in the running, but no one approached me. It’s such big shoes to fill, and everyone loves it.”
Angela Scanlon is another contender linked to the BBC presenting role.
Speaking with The Metro, the former participant was quizzed about Richard Osman putting her name forward for the hosting position.
“Richard is amazing and to be uttered in the same breath as Tess and Claudia, who I admire so much? It’s phenomenal,” she revealed.
Strictly Come Dancing: The Final airs Saturday at 7pm on BBC One.
