Vernon Kay has an idea of who should replace his wife Tess on Strictly(Image: Getty Images)
Vernon Kay has put forward two BBC co-stars he reckons should replace his wife Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as hosts on Strictly. Tess and Claudia shocked fans last year when they revealed they were stepping down from the show. They made their final appearance on the Strictly special on Christmas Day.
Since then, speculation as to who will replace them has been rife, with the likes of Fleur East, Holly Willoughby Roman Kemp, Alan Carr, Bradley Walsh, and Emma Willis all thrown into the mix. And Zoe Ball’s dad Johnny says the Radio 2 legend is being considered by Strictly bosses.
However, Vernon believes there are two perfect candidates. Asked if he had any suggestions for who might replace Tess and Claudia, Vernon recently told Metro Scotland: “Alex Jones should be on the floor. She is probably the funniest presenter I’ve worked with.
Vernon said Alex Jones was “probably the funniest presenter” he has worked with(Image: BBC)
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“With the formalities of The One Show, I don’t think she gives the audience the opportunity to see her funny and irreverent side. She’d be perfect because she is one of the best in a live TV scenario. Absolutely brilliant.
“If they pick anyone but Alex, that person has to, literally, be made of liquid gold. Then upstairs, someone who knows the show better than most… Rylan.”
A more than 15-year live broadcast veteran on BBC’s The One Show, Alex, in addition to Vernon himself, has presented alongside the likes of Jason Manford, Matt Baker, and Ronan Keating.
Vernon said Rylan Clark “knows the show better than most”(Image: Getty Images)
BBC Radio 2 star Rylan Clark is known for such shows as Dating Naked UK and Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour. He previously hosted sister show Strictly: It Takes Two, but left in 2023.
AFter their announcement, Tess and Claudia took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message that reflected upon their time on the show, saying they “loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream”.
It marked the end of an incredible 21-year journey for Tess, who, alongside Claudia, said that they were “always going to leave together” and that they felt it was the “right time”.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their departure last year(Image: Getty Images for the NTA’s)
Tess wrote on Instagram: “After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing. It’s hard to put into words what this show has meant to me, so here goes..
“Strictly has been more than just a television programme. It’s felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that very first show back in 2004. I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring.
