Shirley Ballas from Strictly Come Dancing has expressed her willingness to support two potential presenters as replacements for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman following her mother’s suggestion.
The BBC is on the lookout for new hosts for the iconic duo who departed from Strictly at the conclusion of the previous season. Shirley, a key judge, disclosed that she would advocate for a well-known presenting duo based on her mother Audrey’s preference.
In an interview with the Daily Mail’s Weekend, Shirley mentioned her mother’s wish for Rylan to be the main presenter and for Judge Rinder to be in the Clauditorium. She assured her mother that she would offer her support for this choice.
Shirley indicated that she sees herself primarily as a dancer and implied that she would not pursue the coveted presenting roles. She also expressed her fondness for fellow judge Anton Du Beke, who has shown interest in hosting the show.
Regarding the selection process for the new hosts, Shirley stated that whoever the BBC producers choose will undoubtedly excel in their roles. Tess has been a presenter on the show since its inception in 2004, while Claudia became a co-host in 2010 and assumed full hosting duties in 2014.
Meanwhile, former Strictly professional dancer Oti Mabuse has hinted at the possibility of returning to the show in a presenting capacity. Oti, a two-time Glitterball winner, departed from the show in 2021 but has been linked to a potential comeback.
Despite her success on the show, Oti refrained from confirming her interest in returning, emphasizing her love for Strictly. She praised Tess and Claudia for their remarkable work behind the scenes and expressed confidence in the producers’ ability to make a wise decision in selecting new hosts.
Oti, aged 35, remarked that while Tess and Claudia’s departures were surprising, Strictly is a show beloved by many and will continue to thrive with the support of its audience.