Next Strictly Come Dancing Host Odds: Bradley Walsh And Alex Jones Favourites
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have co-hosted their last-ever main Strictly Come Dancing show, and there's plenty of speculation on betting sites about who will take over from them on the BBC Latin and ballroom show.
The pair will bow out for good in the Strictly Christmas special on Christmas Day, but in the meantime, show bosses will be busy working on their replacements.
Strictly chiefs were recently said to have lined up a shortlist of 10 TV presenters who were being tried out in a secret chemistry test.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Replacing Claudia and Tess is a mammoth task, but the BBC have whittled down the talent to 10 people.
"As well as Bradley, Alex 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."
Are Bradley And Alex The Ones?
The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh and The One Show host Alex Jones are the current frontrunners to be the new Strictly hosts.
Bradley has remained coy about the prospect, but did admit it is a "great gig".
Speaking on Scott Mills' BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, he said: "I think if you do that gig, it's going to ruin your weekend."
But fellow guest Denise Welch replied: "That could be a long-winded version of him saying I'm doing it."
Next Strictly Come Dancing Host Odds:
Host | Odds | Probability |
Bradley Walsh | 11/8 | 42.1% |
Alex Jones | 6/4 | 40% |
Zoe Ball | 7/4 | 36.4% |
Rylan Clark | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Holly Willoughby | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Alison Hammond | 3/1 | 25% |
Alan Carr | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Angela Scanlon | 4/1 | 20% |
Amanda Holden | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Rob Rinder | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Fleur East | 13/2 | 13.3% |
Roman Kemp | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Janette Manrara | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Alex Scott | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Scott added further fuel to the fire by claiming he'd overheard Bradley saying to a colleague that it is "definitely him and Alex Jones".
The Gladiators host added: "I think it's a big old commitment, I really do. It's a few Fridays and Saturdays. It's a great gig, it's a great show."
Bradley is 11/8 favourite on betting apps to take on the Strictly job, and Alex isn't far behind at 6/4.
Both Alex and Bradley have plenty of live TV presenting experience, as does former This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby.
She took a step back from the TV limelight in 2023 after a security guard, Gavin Plumb, was arrested and later jailed for a foiled plot to kidnap and kill her.
However, if Holly was looking for a way back into primetime TV, then the Strictly job could be ideal.
Holly is 5/2 to secure the position, and Alison Hammond - who hosts This Morning on Fridays - is 3/1.
But Alison is said to have put pen to paper on a new deal to remain at the brunchtime show, which could put her out of the running for Strictly.
A source told The Sun: "She’s very happy at This Morning, so, as far as anyone knows, has no intention to quit to take on the dance show - but there may need to be some juggling of the schedule."
From Glitterball To Zoe Ball
Some bookmakers recently suspended betting on the market after Zoe Ball quit her BBC Radio 2 show - but they may have jumped the gun.
Zoe has officially said she wants to "focus on family", which may mean fronting a big job like Strictly is unlikely.
She recently said on Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe's Parenting Hell podcast: "It's only since giving up the breakfast show that I now do the school run in the morning, and I love it."
With Strictly being a weekend job, she would likely still be available for the school runs.
Zoe is among the favourites, at 7/4, to be one of Strictly's new presenters, but who would be her sidekick?
Rylan Clark (2/1) has been tipped to join the show in Claudia's old post in the Clauditorium, where she had a debrief with contestants after their routines, if Zoe does land the job.
The former X Factor star has some Strictly experience on his CV, having previously hosted the spin-off show It Takes Two, and it would make sense for him to co-host the main programme.
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Amanda And Alan Take A Step Back
Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden and Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr have drifted in the Next Strictly Host market, after the radio presenter distanced herself and her best pal from the programme.
She said on the Heart Radio Breakfast Show: "I want to say now that me and Alan are 100% not doing Strictly.
"We are so flattered to be in that mix. We both are not doing it.
"Alan, his career has just blown up even more because of [The Celebrity] Traitors. So yes, take our names off the list, because we’re not doing it."
She further clarified: "100 per cent."
Following her comments, Amanda is 5/1 and Chatty Man star Alan is a 7/2 chance to front Strictly.
What's more, It Takes Two presenters Fleur East and Janette Manrara were among the early favourites to be promoted onto the main show, but they are out to 13/2 and 8/1 respectively.
Alex's The One Show co-host, Roman Kemp, was also an early frontrunner for the Strictly job, but he is now a 7/1 longshot.
Who would you like to see hosting Strictly next year? Let us know in the comments below!
