After Strictly co-hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman shocked fans with the announcement of their departure, one name has continually popped up with BBC execs as they search for a replacement

Huge TV star rumoured for Tess Daley and Claudia Winkleman’s Strictly replacement(Image: PA)

After Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman made the shock announcement that they’d be stepping down as co-hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, fans have speculated over who will replace them. One name that has been thrown into the ring is much-loved presenter of game show The Chase, Bradley Walsh.

The move would pay homage to the BBC show’s original presenter, the late, great, Bruce Forsyth, who fronted Strictly from 2004 alongside Tess until 2013. He left the BBC dance competition three years before he sadly died, aged 89.

A TV insider revealed that Bradley is the top choice for the gig, thanks to his wide appeal and “old-school showbiz” vibe. They told the Sun: “Bradley is a real pro and has brilliant experience hosting live shows.

In a statement, they 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.”

The source added: “His name has come up a few times with execs as many think he would be great. Of course, he would have a female alongside him as part of a duo.”

Reports also claim that Oti Mabuse and Fleur East are both “frontrunners” thanks to their “great experience”, while Bradley is popular with “both old and young viewers.” They added that his cheeky chappy personality would “bring some humour” to the long-running BBC favourite. The Mirror has contacted Strictly reps for comment.

Meanwhile, Tess and Claudia left fans gobsmacked last week when they revealed they were leaving after the current series ends. The pair announced their were leaving on social media with a video.

Claudia and Tess, who have presented Strictly together since 2014, while Tess has been on the show since it very first aired ten years earlier, in 2004. Insiders have said the pair always had a pact to leave together, but although they had reportedly been planning it for a year behind closed doors, the decision was still a shock to producers and crew.

A TV source told the Mirror: “The feeling is Tess and Claudia wanted to go out at the top and whilst the show is still huge and shortly after they received MBEs. Announcing it mid series also gives them a bit of a swan-song and doesn’t take the spotlight away from the winner.

“Claudia is right at her career peak with The Traitors and other TV offers flooding in. Tess has been hosting the show for more than two decades and like that idea of more weekends with her family and her friends.

“The recent scandals around the show have also impacted the ratings a little bit and there might be more around the corner, so they weighed it up and feel it is the right time to quit.”

Another source close to the duo said: “They always said they would go together when they felt right and it just feels right this year.”