End of an Era! Strictly Shock: Alex Jones to Replace Tess and Claudia After Their Exit Bombshell – and She’ll Co-Host with Another TV Star!
According to The Sun, Alex, best known for fronting The One Show for 15 years, is “in talks” to co-host the BBC dance competition alongside The Chase favourite Bradley Walsh. Insiders say the pairing is seen as “a perfect balance,” combining Bradley’s humour and Alex’s calm professionalism.
“Tess and Claudia’s exit plan has been known for a while,” a source revealed. “Bradley and Alex are both accomplished broadcasters. He brings the wisecracks, and she’s the steady hand who thrives under live TV pressure. Alex is also a huge Strictly fan — this would be her dream gig.”
BBC bosses are reportedly keen to “refresh” the series with a new logo and updated energy but have reassured fans that the studio, theme music, and judging panel will remain unchanged.
Alex is no stranger to the Strictly ballroom — she previously competed on the show in 2011, making it all the way to the semi-finals with professional partner James Jordan.
The shake-up comes after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman jointly confirmed in September that they would be leaving at the end of this season. Their heartfelt statement read: “Hosting Strictly together has been an absolute dream. We always said we’d leave together — and now feels like the right time.”
While Claudia is rumoured to be developing her own chat show, Tess is reportedly considering a move to the US. PR expert Mark Borkowski told The Mirror that Tess’s decision “feels strategic,” adding: “This could be her Madonna reinvention phase — same warmth, new edge. She has the polish to slide into glossy American TV without missing a beat.”
With potential replacements including Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Fleur East, and Hannah Waddingham, the BBC appears to be carefully shaping a new era for its Saturday night juggernaut — one that could see Alex Jones stepping firmly into the spotlight once again.
