Bosses behind the BBC’s flagship dance show Strictly Come Dancing are reportedly planning a major shake-up to the presenting line-up — and they want a brand-new male co-host to help lead the show into a new era.
According to insiders, producers are keen to recreate the magic of the early years when the late Sir Bruce Forsyth hosted alongside a female presenter. This time, the plan is even bigger: a trio of presenters, including a new male host, a female lead, and a female comedian handling post-performance chats with contestants.
Three well-known TV personalities have emerged as the frontrunners for the role: Bradley Walsh, Rylan Clark, and current Strictly professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
Sources say bosses are preparing to screen test the trio in the coming weeks as they search for the perfect fit.
“All three names are incredibly popular with viewers and each brings something different,” a source explained. Bradley and Rylan have long been tipped for the role, but Johannes has now emerged as a serious contender.
The insider added that the intention is to pair the chosen man with a female host — most likely Emma Willis or Zoe Ball — while comedian Mel Giedroyc is being considered for a separate role chatting with contestants after their performances.
The idea would mark a return to the beloved presenting format that helped define the show in its early days. From 2004 until 2013, Sir Bruce Forsyth famously hosted Strictly alongside Tess Daly, delivering his iconic catchphrase: “Nice to see you, to see you nice.”
That partnership became a cornerstone of the show’s success before Tess later fronted the programme with Claudia Winkleman.
Producers reportedly believe Bradley Walsh could capture some of Bruce’s old-school charm. The source said the TV star shares a similar skillset to the legendary host — able to crack jokes, sing, and bring a natural charisma that could energise the ballroom.
Rylan Clark is also viewed as a strong contender thanks to his huge fanbase and his experience presenting Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two. Meanwhile Johannes Radebe offers something unique: deep knowledge of the competition itself as one of the show’s most popular professional dancers.
But the potential hosting shake-up comes at a difficult time behind the scenes.
The cast and crew are still reeling from a wave of cuts that saw several professional dancers dropped from the line-up, including Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas.
In response to the upheaval, the BBC has reportedly offered welfare support packages to those leaving the programme, helping them transition beyond the show.
The move comes after the tragic death of former Strictly professional Robin Windsor in 2024 at the age of 44. In a suicide note, he reportedly said the BBC had “destroyed” him after he was dropped from the show years earlier.
Industry insiders say the programme has since strengthened its support systems for performers whose contracts are not renewed.
“When a professional dancer’s contract ends, the executive producer meets them face-to-face alongside the welfare producer,” one insider explained. “They’re offered one-to-one sessions to discuss wellbeing, transition support, and access to the show’s psychotherapist.”
Despite these measures, uncertainty reportedly remains among the cast.
“Nobody feels completely safe right now,” another insider claimed. “There’s a sense that producers are using the arrival of new hosts as a chance to reinvent the whole show.”
A BBC spokesperson declined to confirm details of the plans, saying only that announcements about Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be made in due course.
