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Former Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli has declared only women should be considered as new hosts of the beloved BBC show following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s exit.
The dancer, 70, appeared on the panel from the first series in 2004 until quitting in 2019, while Daly and Winkleman stepped down last year after 20 years.
But rumours bosses are eying up a male co-host to freshen things up, with Rylan Clark, Bradley Walsh and pro dancer Johannes Radebe all in the frame, Bruno dismissed the idea.
He told Daily Mail’s Richard Eden: ‘I think it will be better for them to find two women to replace Tess and Claudia because what I liked is that you had these two women holding the show. It was empowering to watch and that’s what Strictly should be.
‘Having Tess and Claudia together on the show made it quite special.’
Sources have claimed producers behind Strictly Come Dancing are planning to screen test their preferred male candidates in the coming weeks.
The successful presenter would reportedly front the BBC One show alongside a female host.
A source told The Sun: ‘The intention would be to team the chosen man up with a female.
‘The show’s executive producers feel Bradley has a similar style to Bruce — he can tell jokes, sing and has lots of charisma.
‘Rylan has a massive fanbase and used to host Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, while Johannes offers expertise.’
The Daily Mail has contacted BBC for comment.
Daly and Winkleman stepped back from the show after the most recent series came to an end last December – with speculation continuing to grow about who will be lined up to replace them.
It was recently reported that Emma Willis and Zoe Ball are also strongly being considered for one of the hosting spots by bosses.
Emma, 50, recently took over from Zoe, 55, on BBC Radio 2 after she stepped down from the afternoon slot after just seven months.
Zoe has said she would ‘love’ to take on the hosting job, who previously hosted Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two until 2021.
Emma has an odds-on at 4-5 to take on the role, wgile Zoe has odds of 1-4.
Coral’s John Hill said: ‘Emma Willis is proving very popular in our next Strictly Come Dancing host betting.
‘Our latest odds suggest Willis and Zoe Ball lead the race to replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.’
There are a number of other names in the mix such as Rylan Clark (3-1), Fleur East (4-1), Janette Manrara (4-1), Hanna Waddingham (5-1), Roman Kemp (5-1), Holly Willoughby (6-1), Alesha Dixon (8-1), Scott Mills(8-1) and Stacey Dooley (8-1).
