Three of the favourites to take over at Strictly Come Dancing.placeholder image
Three of the favourites to take over at Strictly Come Dancing. | Getty Images

New Strictly Come Dancing Hosts Odds Latest: Here are the 12 stars tipped to take over from Tess and Claudia - including Hannah Waddingham

By David Hepburn

Writer-at-large

Published 11th Dec 2025, 16:41 GMT

It’s one (or rather two of) the biggest jobs in British television so there are sure to be plenty of applicants.

This year’s Strictly Come Dancing is nearing its climax - with only four celebrity dancers left.

The semi-finals take place this week, with reality TV star Amber Davies, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, internet star George Clarke and former Lioness Karen Carney hoping to make the final.

Strictly first aired back in 2004 and has become the world’s most successful reality television franchaise - there are version in over 60 different countries around the world.

But the biggest news this year broke earlier this series - with hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announcing they would be leaving the show.

Since debuting in 2004 there have only ever been three hosts of the show, with Winkleman taking over from Bruce Forsyth in 2014.

Read more: Strictly Come Dancing: Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to leave Strictly - joint statement in full

Now speculation is growing about who is going to take over the reins next year.

Here are the 12 favourites, according to the experts a OLBG.

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Claudia Winkleman was on spin-off show 'Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two' before graduating to the main programme. Former 'X Factor' star Fleur East is now the 2/1 favourite to follow her career route and become the new face of BBC Saturday (and Sunday) night).

1. Fleur East - 2/1

Claudia Winkleman was on spin-off show 'Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two' before graduating to the main programme. Former 'X Factor' star Fleur East is now the 2/1 favourite to follow her career route and become the new face of BBC Saturday (and Sunday) night). | Getty Images for Bauer

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There's a three-way tie for second favourite and first up is Emma Willis, with odds of 4/1. She's an experienced presenter who would be be seen as a safe pair of hands, having fronted Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother, The Voice UK, The Circle and (with husband Matt Willis) Love Is Blind: UK.

2. Emma Willis - 4/1

There's a three-way tie for second favourite and first up is Emma Willis, with odds of 4/1. She's an experienced presenter who would be be seen as a safe pair of hands, having fronted Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother, The Voice UK, The Circle and (with husband Matt Willis) Love Is Blind: UK. | Getty Images for The National Lo

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Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham wasn't even in the running when Claudia and Tess handed in their notice - now she's the 4/1 joint second favourite.

3. Hannah Waddingham - 4/1

Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham wasn't even in the running when Claudia and Tess handed in their notice - now she's the 4/1 joint second favourite. | Getty Images

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Janette Manrara, who has appeared as a professional dancer on both Strictly and the American version of the show, 'Dancing With The Stars', before presenting BBC2 spin-off 'It Takes Two', is also priced at 4/1. She certainly knows the show inside-out.

4. Janette Manrara - 4/1

Janette Manrara, who has appeared as a professional dancer on both Strictly and the American version of the show, 'Dancing With The Stars', before presenting BBC2 spin-off 'It Takes Two', is also priced at 4/1. She certainly knows the show inside-out. | Getty Images

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