The 44-year-old former This Morning and Dancing on Ice presenter was carefully diplomatic when asked about the rumour that she coud lbe taking over Claudia Winkleman’s job
TV presenter Holly Willoughby has opened up on the possibility of presenting Strictly Come Dancing with a cryptic comment.
Since the surprise announcement that Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are both set to leave the BBC show at the end of this season, fans have been speculating wildly about who might be taking over as the long-running BBC TV show’s presenters.
One name that’s frequently being mentioned in connection with the high-profile job is that of Holly Willoughby. And, according to the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden, the former This Morning presenter has issued a very careful comment on the rumours.
Approached by reporters at the preview night for Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park Holly, 44, coyly commented: “At the moment, I’m just having a lovely time at home watching Strictly.”
Further confirmation of Holly’s potential involvement in the show came from a celebrity hairdresser.
Founded by Hari Salem in 1976, Hari’s West London salon has seen bookings from the likes of Bianca Jagger, Blondie’s Debbie Harry and – according to reports – “a well-known TV channel controller.”
TV producer Peter Fincham let slip that he had heard some inside gossip while getting a trim: “My hairdresser also cuts the hair of a well-known channel controller,” he revealed. “What’s said in Hari’s the hairdresser stays in Hari’s. But he says with great confidence that Holly Willoughby will take over.”
If Holly were to step into Claudia Winkleman’s shoes, then of course the next question would be who would be standing alongside her next September.
This Morning’s Dermot O’Leary, who had been rumoured to have been in contention, has firmly stated that he is not in negotiations – saying that signing up for Strictly would enrage his old X-Factor boss Simon Cowell.
Another presenter with an X-Factor connection, Rylan Clark, has also been tipped for one of the jobs. But Strictly professional Katya Jones is convinced she knows who will be best for the job – former professional dancer and co-star Janette Manrara.
Janette is married to Alijaz Skorjanec, who recently made his return to the ballroom, and she presents It Takes Two alongside Fleur East.
Asked on Loose Women who she’d like to see take over, Katya said: “Naturally for me, it’s Janette Manrara. She’s done it all – she’s done it as a professional, she’s presented It Takes Two. She knows what we’re feeling – she’d be the perfect Claudia, talking it through with us.”
However, Katya refused to rule herself out of contention too: “ I judged Dancing with the Stars in Belgium in the summer, and I really thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel what the contestants are going through and how much work goes into it.
Source: Mirror
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