SHIRLEY Ballas has entered the conversation around who could be the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts.
The Strictly judge was the latest to wade into the discussion after current hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkelman, shocked everyone this week when they announced this was their final series.
Shirley revealed her mum, Audrey Rich, 88, is keen to get Rylan Clark into the top job.
“If my mother had her way, it would be Rylan Clark who replaces them,” she told the Wimbledon BookFest on Sunday.
Rylan is a popular TV and radio presenter, and hosted the Strictly spin-off, It Takes Two from 2019 to 2022.
When Shirley herself was pressed on if she has someone in mind to replace the duo, the pro dancer remained tight lipped.
“Oh absolutely darling, but I couldn’t reveal,” she said.
Shirley was the star of a panel at the book festival in London and admitted that she will find it hard to say goodbye to Claudia and Tess, but understands their decision to leave.
“I have a very good relationship with them. But sometimes in people’s lives — and we have to respect this — they are ready to move on,” Shirley said.
“We don’t want them to move on, but they are ready to move on. And one day I’ll be ready to move on, and that will be my choice when I feel I’m ready to go.”
Shirley added: “And somebody else will come in, and after a show or two you’ll fall in love with the next person.”
“I will miss them tremendously. I can only wish them both well wherever they land, and they’re going to do an amazing job.”
Claudia and Tess made history as primetime television’s first female presenting duo when they paired up to co-host the show in 2014.
Both had been part of Strictly since 2004, Tess hosting the main show with Bruce Forsyth and Claudia on It Takes Two.
Their announcement comes after The Sun revealed the real reason behind the pair’s shock departure.
BBC bosses have been blindsided by their departure, with only a small number of people in the TV industry made aware of their intentions.
It’s understood they secretly filmed the exit video weeks ago — and released it mid-series so as not to overshadow the eventual winner.
Their last show will be on Christmas Day. A source said: “Claudia and Tess have known they were leaving Strictly since last year. They felt like it was their time to go.
“They discussed this privately and agreed they would walk away together, but kept it firmly under wraps.”
