Strictly's Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's replacements 'unveiled' after star's exit

Speculation has been mounting over which famous face could take the reins from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as hosts on Strictly Come Dancing. The female presenting duo have a long history on the BBC's flagship entertainment show. Tess, 56, has fronted it since it began in 2004, originally with the late Bruce Forsyth. Claudia, 53, left her six-year role on spin-off show It Takes Two in 2010 to co-host the results show and then the main show in 2014. Several frontrunners tipped to replace the duo include Rylan Clark, Janette Manrara to Zoe Ball, with the latter expressing her interest.

The former Radio 2 breakfast show didn't hold back, as confessed: "I think everyone would like to do that job. It's an amazing job. It's the best Saturday night show." Other names thrown into the mix included Paddy McGuinness, Oti Mabuse and Noel Edmonds just to name a few. But professional dancer, Brendan Cole, has suggested the show needs a "triple-threat performer".

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk on behalf of Sky Vegas, the dancer, 49, said, "For me, the day Bruce Forsyth left was the day the show really changed. He was a proper old-school entertainer - a singing, dancing, triple-threat performer. That kind of showbiz personality is rare these days, and Strictly could do with bringing that element back."

Legendary entertainer Bruce Forsyth presented Strictly for a decade alongside Tess before his death in 2017.

"I love Claudia [Winkleman] and Tess [Daly], they have been brilliant, but I think we can all agree that their dancing skills were woeful, and they were fronting a dancing show," Brendan continued.

He added, "So maybe it's time to go back to someone with that entertainment pedigree - someone who can bring that sparkle and old-school charm back to the helm."

It has not yet been announced who will be Tess and Claudia's replacements.

The pair said they were "always going to leave together and now feels like the right time".

The duo will step down at the end of the current series, with the Christmas special set to be their last show.