A star-studded winter fairground, a clutch of microphones, and one of TV’s most talked-about names. That’s how the Strictly hosting rumour mill whirred back into life this week, as Holly Willoughby, 44, was asked whether she could replace long-time duo Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. Her answer ? Short, careful, and designed to keep options open.
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Speaking at the Winter Wonderland preview in Hyde Park, Holly offered a deliberately low-key take on the chatter, reported by the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden. No grand announcement, no categorical denial — just a nudge that she’s happily watching from home for now, with nothing official to share.
Holly’s measured response at Winter Wonderland
The setting was festive, but the subject was serious TV business. With Strictly’s future presenting line-up up in the air, Holly kept it cool when asked about the job. According to Eden, she delivered a brief ten-word response and left it at that:
"At the moment, I'm just having a lovely time at home watching Strictly."
It fits her recent public stance. Back in October, after Claudia and Tess revealed on Instagram that they would bow out together at the end of this series, Holly paid tribute to the pair. On Instagram, she called them "absolutely iconic", a crisp assessment shared by plenty of fans who’ve grown up with the duo’s sparkling Saturday-night partnership.
For context, Holly stepped away from This Morning in 2023, which naturally makes her name one of the first tossed into the Strictly conversation. But right now, her tone suggests enjoyment from the sofa rather than a studio countdown. Could that change as September approaches ? Only the BBC — and timing — will tell.
Who could replace Claudia and Tess ?
With the BBC yet to confirm anything, the field looks wide open. Several familiar faces have bubbled up in reports. Dermot O’Leary has publicly denied he’s in talks, even hinting that joining Strictly might not go down well with his former X Factor boss, Simon Cowell. It’s a smart sidestep that keeps him out of the frame for now.
Rylan Clark is another name doing the rounds. Rylan’s live-show ease and Strictly-adjacent experience make him a natural shout in fan discussions, though, again, there’s no official word to pin down.
Then there’s a compelling in-house option. Strictly professional Katya Jones has suggested Janette Manrara for the role. Janette swapped the ballroom for the studio when she began co-hosting It Takes Two with Fleur East, and her credentials are strong: ex-pro insight, presenter polish, and an understanding of the show’s heartbeat. She’s also married to Alijaz Skorjanec, who recently made a warmly received return to the main series — a neat link back to the dancefloor.
As for Katya herself, she hasn’t entirely ruled anything out. Over the summer, she sat on the judging panel for Dancing with the Stars in Belgium and admitted she enjoyed the taste of TV beyond the Strictly studio. Could a pro step into a main hosting gig ? It’s a bold idea, but Strictly thrives on big Saturday-night energy and the show has never been shy of brave casting calls.
Inside the Strictly buzz as September looms
With Claudia and Tess moving on after years as a beloved duo, the next era feels tantalisingly close. Their Instagram announcement in October framed the exit on their own terms, and the industry has been buzzing ever since. The BBC, for its part, is keeping cards close to its chest, which only intensifies the guessing game as the next series edges nearer.
So where does that leave Holly ? Her Hyde Park moment suggests she won’t be rushed. She’s acknowledged the conversation without stepping into it, and that poise is telling. Can she count on the public mood if she’s ultimately asked to lead the ballroom ? Possibly — but until we hear otherwise, the glitterball of speculation keeps spinning.
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