Quick Read
- Fans believe Zoe Ball and Angela Scanlon are the new hosts after spotting social media interactions on an official BBC post.
- Filmed auditions have reportedly focused on testing chemistry and live broadcasting skills for the 2026 season.
- The hosting change coincides with a major reshuffle of the professional dancing cast, including the exit of Gorka Marquez.
LONDON (Azat TV) – The search for the next faces of Strictly Come Dancing has entered a high-stakes phase following the departure of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the end of the previous series. As the BBC prepares for the 2026 season, a surge in social media activity and reports of secret filmed auditions have narrowed the field to a handful of frontrunners. This transition represents the most significant leadership shift in the program’s history, occurring alongside a massive overhaul of the professional dancing cast.
Angela Scanlon and the Strictly Come Dancing hosting auditions
Angela Scanlon has emerged as a primary contender for the 2026 hosting job following a week of intensive filmed auditions. Scanlon, who previously finished sixth on the 2023 series, is reportedly being tested for her chemistry with other presenters and her ability to handle the pressures of live television. Sources indicate that the BBC is prioritizing candidates who can react quickly to live comments, a skill essential for a show built on immediate emotional responses and high-energy pacing. Scanlon’s recent appointment as the replacement for Scott Mills on Eurovision coverage further strengthens her standing as a reliable live-TV operator.
Zoe Ball emerges as favorite for Tess Daly’s role
While several names are in circulation, Zoe Ball has solidified her position as the bookmakers’ favorite. Fans recently noticed what they described as a “telling clue” on social media: out of ten rumored candidates, only Ball and Scanlon commented on the official BBC announcement regarding the returning professional dancers and judges. This perceived slip-up has led many viewers to believe that a duo consisting of Ball and Scanlon has already been finalized. Ball, who previously hosted the spin-off program It Takes Two, recently teased that she has a “glamorous” project upcoming, though she stated she cannot yet disclose details. Other high-profile names such as Rylan Clark and Emma Willis remain on the shortlist, while reports suggest that Bradley Walsh and Alison Hammond have been ruled out of the running.
The stakes of replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
The pressure to find the right successors is compounded by a wider exodus within the franchise. Professional dancer Gorka Marquez recently announced his departure after a decade on the show, joining Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas in a significant cast reshuffle. For the BBC, the challenge lies in maintaining the show’s identity while introducing a fresh dynamic. The chemistry between Daly and Winkleman was a cornerstone of the brand for over a decade, and replacing that rapport is seen as a make-or-break decision for the show’s future ratings. The broadcaster has confirmed that official plans for the 2026 lineup will be announced in due course, even as speculation continues to dominate social media platforms.
The simultaneous departure of veteran hosts and several long-standing professional dancers suggests that the BBC is attempting a fundamental brand reset for 2026, a move that carries significant risk if the new presenting duo fails to capture the same cross-generational appeal as their predecessors.