A pair of former Strictly Come Dancing champions are favourites to take over hosting duties after presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announced their departure.
The Traitors presenter began co-hosting Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.
Meanwhile, Tess Daly has quit the show after presenting the Saturday night entertainment programme for 21 years, beginning back in 2004 alongside TV legend Bruce Forsyth.
Now former Strictly champions Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton are favourites to replace the hosts.
More names in the running for the job according to bookmakers are Rylan Clark, GK Barry, Alex Jones and Fluer East.
Speaking on behalf of Megaways Slots provider Spin Genie, Celebrity PR Specialist Kayley Cornelius said: “Current odds suggest that power couple and former Strictly Come Dancing champions Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton lead the market to take over hosting duties, both priced at 2/1.
“Since their memorable win in 2018, the pair have remained closely connected to the show, and with their weekly rundowns of this year’s series on their Substack, they strike the perfect balance between being qualified, passionate and in tune with the Strictly audience.
“Also high on the list are GK Barry and Rylan Clark, both at 7/4, who continue to prove popular with fans thanks to their charisma and quick wit – qualities that would no doubt translate well to the Strictly ballroom.
“Elsewhere in the market, Alex Jones at 4/1 and Gethin Jones at 9/2 are both strong BBC favourites with plenty of presenting experience, while Fleur East at 5/2, Janette Manrara at 3/1, Karen Hauer at 7/2 and Roman Kemp at 6/1 also feature among the potential contenders should the BBC decide to shake things up with a fresh-faced lineup.”
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announce Strictly exit
In a joint announcement, the pair said: “We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.
“We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.
“We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day.
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“We will cry when we say the last “keep dancing” but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.
“Tess & Claud”.
Claudia Winkleman Strictly exit full statement
Claudia Winkleman said: “It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me.
“It’s been the greatest relationship of my career. From working on It Takes Two in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for.
“I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to cohosting on Saturday nights.
“Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it.
“The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives - all utterly amazing.
“I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights. As for Tess - I’m so so lucky I got to stand next to you.
“You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.”
How long have Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman been on Strictly?
The Traitors presenter began co-hosting Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.
Meanwhile, Tess Daly has quit the show after presenting the Saturday night entertainment programme for 21 years.
Daly began presenting Strictly back in 2004 alongside TV legend Bruce Forsyth.
Forsyth left the series in 2014 after 10 years and 11 series together.
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