Melanie Blatt has reportedly taken a major step towards replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly after impressing bosses on the Christmas special.
The All Saints singer, 50, was one of six celebrities who competed in this year’s Christmas Day special, which was filmed earlier this month.
The episode also marked the final appearance of Tess and Claudia after 21 years at the helm of the popular BBC dance competition.
Although the festive show was ultimately won by Scarlett Moffatt, insiders now claim Melanie emerged as a standout contender for a future role on the show.
Dancing alongside professional partner Kai Widdrington, 30, Melanie impressed the judges with her American Smooth, scoring an impressive 36 and earning a perfect ten from head judge Shirley Ballas.
A source told The Sun: ‘Melanie and Brian McFadden really caught the eye.
Melanie Blatt has reportedly taken a major step towards replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly after impressing bosses on the Christmas special
The episode also marked the final appearance of Tess and Claudia after 21 years at the helm of the popular BBC dance competition
‘Brian is on tour with Boyzlife next year, which rules him out, so the door is wide open for Melanie.’
The Daily Mail has contacted BBC for comment.
In a statement announcing their departure in October, Tess and Claudia said: ‘We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.
‘We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day.
‘We will cry when we say the last “keep dancing” but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.’
The pair’s appearance on the Christmas special comes after it was reported that Tess and Claudia are planning a boozy wrap party to celebrate their departure from Strictly.
The duo hosted their last ever live show last Saturday after 21 years working on the show, and fronted the series for the final time in the pre-recorded Christmas Special.
While Tess and Claudia both joined the Strictly cast at the wrap party at the weekend, sources have now revealed they’re planning a much boozier celebration in the New Year.
The Christmas Special also saw Scarlett Moffatt, 35, and her pro partner Vito Coppola, 33, crowned the festive champions, after earning a perfect score
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman shared an emotional ‘last hug’ as they presented from the Strictly dance floor for a final time on Christmas Day
Tess had partied until the early hours, even leading a singalong of Three Lions in honour of footballer Karen Carney’s win, but Claudia opted to leave the bash after just one drink.
The star has been part of the series since its very first episode back in 2004 where she presented alongside the late Bruce Forsyth, with Claudia taking over from Sir Bruce when he retired in 2013.
A source said: ‘Tess and Claudia are arranging a big Strictly gathering in the New Year for all the team to get together and have a proper boozy send-off.’
They went on to tell The Sun: ‘It’ll be a long lunch with all their closest friends on the show where everyone can really let loose behind closed doors.
‘Claudia only stayed for a quiet drink on Saturday so this intimate wrap party will be a lovely goodbye for everyone.’
There were a number of emotional tributes to Claudia and Tess during Saturday’s final including a special compilation video with messages from the Strictly crew and Mary Berry.
And the pair were left blown away after being surprised by a letter from Queen Camilla herself, which was read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood.
It said: ‘Tess and Claudia, as you prepare to take your final twirl, I just want to say thank you on behalf of the millions who watch you each week.
The pair’s appearance on the Christmas special comes after it was reported that Tess and Claudia are planning a boozy wrap party to celebrate their departure from Strictly
‘I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships, the bonds forged, the struggles overcome, and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
‘If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest strictly partnership of all. The warmth, compassion, and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show’s success.
‘I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fabulous. I wish you both every success in wherever life’s journey takes you next, but as one who has appreciated its lifelong benefits, do promise us one thing, keep dancing.
‘With the warmest gratitude and admiration, Her Royal Highness, Queen Camilla.’
Thanking fans, a visibly emotional Tess said: ‘I can’t speak now. What an honour. Thank you so much for your lovely words, from the bottom of the hearts it means so much to us.’
Claudia replied: ‘That is amazing, what a wonderful surprise. Thank you so much. We have loved being part of such a wonderful show. It has been a privilege to be a part of your weekends.’
The duo announced their exits in a joint video on Instagram in October, saying the time had come to ‘pass over the baton’ as they shared their gratitude for being able to take part in the ‘amazing show’.
Following news of the pair’s departure there has been much speculation about who could step into Tess and Claudia’s glittering Strictly shoes.
