The race to find the next face of Strictly Come Dancing has taken a dramatic turn, with Alan Carr officially out of the running — leaving BBC bosses disappointed and scrambling to refocus their plans.
The comedian, 49, had been one of the broadcaster’s top choices to step in following the surprise departure of long-time hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who announced earlier this month that they would be stepping down together. Alan’s recent TV resurgence, particularly his hugely popular appearance on Celebrity Traitors, had made him a firm favourite behind the scenes.
However, despite strong interest from the BBC, scheduling conflicts have proved impossible to overcome. Alan’s extensive 2027 UK and Ireland tour, Have I Said Too Much?, includes around 90 dates, with the second leg running from September through November — directly clashing with Strictly’s live broadcast schedule.
Sources say the decision was a painful one. “Alan was absolutely a favourite,” an insider revealed. “The BBC were gutted to lose him, but his tour dates simply can’t be moved. He had to choose, and touring won.”
While the BBC fully understands his position, they are said to be disappointed they can’t capitalise on his current popularity. Replacing Claudia and Tess is widely considered one of the toughest jobs in British television, and Alan was seen as someone who could have brought humour, warmth, and instant chemistry to the role.
With Alan now out, attention has shifted firmly to Rylan Clark, the former It Takes Two host and long-time Strictly favourite. Insiders say Rylan has now replaced Alan as one of the BBC’s top choices, with his fate likely to hinge on upcoming chemistry tests with potential co-hosts.
Rylan is not the only name still in the mix. Other contenders reportedly include Bradley Walsh, Alex Jones, Rob Rinder, Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond, Angela Scanlon, and Amanda Holden. BBC executives are said to be open to experimenting with fresh pairings — including same-gender hosting duos — as they look to reinvent the show’s presenting dynamic.
During the testing process, shortlisted stars will be brought into the studio and paired in different combinations to see who delivers the strongest on-screen connection. Producers are keen to find a duo that feels both familiar and exciting, while also marking a clear new era for the show.
As for Claudia and Tess, their farewell message struck a heartfelt tone. “Hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream,” they said, confirming they had always planned to leave together. “We’ll cry when we say the last ‘keep dancing’ — probably in tracksuit bottoms at home, holding pizza.”
With Alan Carr out and the pressure mounting, the BBC now faces a crucial decision. One thing is certain: whoever steps into the Strictly hosting role won’t just be filling a vacancy — they’ll be stepping into television history. And as the shortlist narrows, all eyes are on who will be brave enough to take the lead under the ballroom lights. ✨
