TELLY favourite Joel Dommett has dropped a huge hint he’s set his sights on the Strictly Come Dancing hosting role.
The broadcaster, who hosts The Masked Singer and I’m A Celeb Unpacked to name a few, is a name in the frame for the iconic BBC One job after existing anchors Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly quit.
The Traitors presenter Claudia, 53, alongside her Strictly sidekick Tess, 56, announced their plans to step down from their iconic BBC role last week.
On Saturday’s live episode, the duo got teary as they opened the first show since announcing they were quitting at the end of the series.
Last week, all the stars in line to replace Tess and Claudia came to light – with Joel one of the key names in the frame.
On Thursday’s Good Morning Britain, Joel, 40 – who exclusively revealed the comeback of Unpacked to accompany this year’s I’m A Celeb season – was grilled about his potential new role.
As ITV show anchor Ed Balls, 58, suggested the odds were in his favour, he said: “I like the odds.”
Giving a key clue he continued: “You know me, I say yes to everything.
“It’s an amazing massive show.”
Joel went on to praise Tess and Claud, who 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 spin-off It Takes Two.
Ed then pressed Joel if he was going to “take the jump” from ITV to the BBC for Strictly.
Joel, who had admitted his “love” for entertainment TV during the chatm then said: “Jump across?
“Maybe! Who knows.”
Previously, Casino Beats placed Joel with odds of 14/1 to scoop the plum presenting gig.
Meanwhile, Ladbrokes have him down for narrower odds of 10/1.
All your Strictly Come Dancing winners
Strictly first kicked off back in 2004, and over the years has crowned 21 winners.
Earlier in the week, former Strictly pro Kevin Clifton also broke his silence over being a potential Strictly host in a chat on GMB.
Meanwhile, drag queen La Voix threw her name in the frame for the job on Saturday’s live Strictly show.
Other suggestions include Holly Willoughby and Zoe Ball.
EXIT LOWDOWN
It comes after The Sun revealed the real reason behind Tess and Claud’s shock departure.
BBC bosses are said to have been blindsided by their departure, with only a small number of people in the TV industry made aware of their intentions.
t’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.”
Their exit comes after the BBC show was hit by a string of recent scandals involving its professional dancers and behind-the-scenes conduct.
Plummeting viewing figures and “underwhelming” line-ups even prompted betting giants to offer odds earlier this year on this being the show’s final outing.
EXIT STATEMENTS
In a statement to her fans, Tess said it was “time to say goodbye” and described Strictly as “about joy, celebration, and bringing people together”.
Tess also paid tribute to her co-host, adding: “To my beloved Claud – what an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you.
“You’re one of a kind, and I’ll treasure every giggle, every live show, and every backstage moment we’ve shared.”
Claudia called the show “the greatest relationship of my career”.
She said: “Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake-tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it.
“I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go.”
She also remembered legendary judge Len Goodman, saying: “I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know.)
“And the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to cohosting on Saturday nights.
She praised Tess, adding: “As for Tess – I’m so, so lucky I got to stand next to you. You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.”
