The race is hotting up to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly, and judge Shirley Ballas says she’ll ‘put in a good word’ for two popular presenters as a favour to her mum
Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas says she will “put in a good word” for two presenters to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after a recommendation from her mum.
The BBC are looking for replacements for the iconic duo after the left Strictly at the end of the last series
There have been a number of names put forward to replace Tess and Claudia, but head judge Shirley revealed she will put in a good word for one popular presenting pair as a favour to her mother Audrey.
Speaking to the Daily Mail’s Weekend, she said: “My mother said: ‘Can you not make it happen that Rylan is the main presenter and Judge Rinder is up in the Clauditorium (the platform above the dance floor where Claudia interviews contestants and dancers?)’
“I said: ‘I’ll put a good word in for you, mum.’ So that’s who my mother would like.”
Shirley appeared to rule herself out of the running to take on one of the most coveted jobs on British television as she said she’s a dancer “from the tip of my toes to the top of my head”.
She also said she would miss fellow judge Anton Du Beke if he took on the gig. He has made no secret of his desire to host the show.
Shirley added: “Whoever they (BBC producers) pick will be absolutely sensational.”
Tess has presented the show since its inaugural series in 2004 while Claudia joined as co-host of the Saturday results show in 2010. She took over full-time from the legendary Sir Bruce Forsyth in 2014.
It comes after former Strictly professional dancer Oti Mabuse opened up on the possibility that she could return to the show in a presenting role.
The two-time Glitterball winner left the show in 2021 to pursue other opportunities but she has been linked with a return.
Oti won the coveted Glitterball in consecutive years with soap actor Kelvin Fletcher and comedian Bill Bailey. She’s one of only two professionals to win it twice and the only to do so in consecutive years. Despite this she would not be drawn on if she would throw her hat into the ring despite revealing “I love Strictly”.
She told The Times: “I wouldn’t be sitting here without that show. Claudia and Tess are….I get emotional when I talk about it, because they are just so brilliant. Nobody really sees the work that Tess has to do – that show’s live, she’s making sure it’s not running over.
“I think anyone who gets asked to do that job is so lucky and will do it splendidly. The producers will do a good job (choosing) because they know that show better than any of us.”
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply