Alan Carr reveals if he will take over as Strictly host

Alan Carr has addressed speculation he will take over as the next Strictly Come Dancing host. 

Last month, Tess Daly, 56, and Claudia Winkleman, 53, shocked fans when they made the surprise announcement they will step down from their presenting roles after the Christmas special. 

Alan became a frontrunner as their replacement, following his success on Celebrity Traitors.

Millions tuned in to watch the comedian, 49, bag the £87,500 prize pot.

Giving an update, Alan told The Mirror: ‘My name is in the hat. What an honour. It’s a bit like when my name got bandied about for Britain’s Got Talent and Great British Bake Off – I’m always on the periphery.’

Alan was reportedly ‘devastated’ at losing out on becoming a judge of Britain’s Got Talent after David Walliams stepped down from the show on 2022.

The role ended up going to Bruno Tonioli after Simon Cowell overruled ITV bosses. 

After 12 million tuned in to watch Alan win Celebrity Traitors, the comedian was touted as the obvious choice to step in as host of Strictly Come Dancing next year. 

However, Alan has said he hasn’t been approached about the role but he has received an influx of job offers following his huge success. 

‘No one has approached me. People are so passionate about it and you saw me sweating in the castle when I was a Traitor, imagine me doing live telly with how many million people watching. 

‘So many things have come from The Celebrity Traitors – so many job offers coming in – I’d be flattered, but I don’t know if I could do it [Strictly] justice. I just don’t want to ruin it for people.’ 

Tess and Claudia made history as the BBC’s first female presenting duo, but revealed the current series will be their last, after making a pact to walk away together.

Their last appearance together will be on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, which airs on December 25.

Claudia said in the announcement: ‘There have been some rumblings and we want you to hear this from us.’

Tess chimed in: ‘We have news, after 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton.’

Names to replace the hosting duo are already being suggested, with Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton among the front runners.

Other names who have been mentioned so far include Roman Kemp, former Strictly pro Janette Manara and former contestant Alex Scott.

TV and radio veteran Zoe one of the biggest names to be tipped as the new host of the BBC dancing competition.

The presenter would make a natural fit for the gig as she is well acquainted with the show thanks to her old presenting role on its spin-off, It Takes Two.

She is currently the 2-1 favourite to take on the role after Tess and Claudia leave the show, according to Coral Bookmakers.

Meanwhile, fans will be able to get another opportunity to see Alan in the third series of his semi-autobiographical series, Changing Ends. 

The show, which launched in June 2023 and stars child actor Oliver Savell as a young Alan, has gone on to air two series. 

IMDB’s synopsis of the show reads: ‘An autobiographical scripted comedy based on stand-up and presenter Alan Carr’s life.’ 

The third series will premiere on Sunday 23 November, straight after I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here ITV1, STV and ITVX.