- Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
Miranda Hart is reportedly ‘in secret talks with BBC’ as she becomes the ‘perfect’ contender to replace Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing.
The comedian, 53, who has worked for the broadcaster throughout her career, would be a ‘massive coup’ for the popular series.
It comes amid the current reshuffle which has seen professional dancers Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, and other favourites Karen Hauer, 43, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Marquez, 35, axed from the show.
Claudia and her co-host Tess Daly announced they would be stepping down from their coveted presenting role in December with speculation mounting over who will replace them.
So far a number of names have been put forward for the hottest job in telly, with Miranda becoming the latest to be thrown into the mix.
A source said: ‘The feeling is that her style of comedy is very similar to Claudia’s sense of humour, making her a perfect replacement.’
They added to The Sun: ‘She’s also one of very few people in the entertainment world who is widely known and recognised by just her first name.
‘They want someone who can bring a comedy element to the role. Miranda has been loyal to the BBC throughout her TV career.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Miranda’s representative and the BBC for comment.
Meanwhile, Michelle confirmed she had been axed from the show this week after a string of pros were dropped in a cast bloodbath.
After learning her contract on the show would not be renewed, Michelle quit the professionals live tour.
Sources claimed on Monday that bosses have chosen to keep pros with a bigger online following in a desperate bid to draw in younger viewers.
One example appears to be axed Nadiya who boasts 19,000 followers, while Dianne Buswell, with 966,000 followers has kept her place in the line-up.
Elsewhere, as presenter of the Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It Takes Two, along with co-host Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark has won millions of fans.
And he has clearly made an impression on bosses too as he is now in line for a promotion to the main show.
BBC sources say he has been invited to an audition at which he will be paired with other potential hosts, including Irish broadcaster and former Strictly contestant Angela Scanlon, 42.
Rylan, who found fame in 2012 on The X Factor – once a huge rival to Strictly – has been shortlisted, but still faces screen tests in a fortnight so producers can assess his chemistry with any possible co-stars.
Strictly sources say bosses want a fresh line-up with strong connections to the show.
One told the Daily Mail: ‘Rylan has a long-standing association with the show, and Angela has been a contestant.
‘But the main thing is they’d be a totally new pairing – no baggage, no former shows, uniquely Strictly.
‘On top of that, they want to be sure that an all-female presenting line-up isn’t replaced by an old-fashioned male-female duo where the man takes on a dominant role.
‘Rylan isn’t like that at all. Plus, he absolutely loves the show and the viewers already love him.’
Insiders say he would ‘bite the BBC’s hand off’ for the job.
One added: ‘For Rylan it is his dream job. He loved It Takes Two and the viewers loved him. It would be a no-brainer.
‘He has so many loyal fans. If he gets the job they will most certainly tune in to Strictly. He will be a ratings winner and the BBC know it.’
Rylan is said to be ‘very keen’ to be paired with One Show host Angela, who took part in the series in 2023, and bosses believe they ‘tick every box’.
As well as fronting It Takes Two between 2019 and 2023, he hosted his own Rylan On Saturday show on Radio 2, has presented on ITV’s This Morning and anchored Eurovision coverage for the BBC.
