WHEN Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly introduced their departure as Strictly Come Dancing hosts final October, it fired the beginning gun on the race to exchange them.
Now after six months of looking out – and dozens of high profile names tipped for the job – it’s crunch time for BBC bosses.
The Sun can reveal the last shortlist of celebs vying to host the dance competitors have been summoned to a top-secret location in London this week.
Starting tomorrow and lasting till Friday, the big names will battle it out behind closed doorways in secret auditions and chemistry checks.
Insiders say the stars in the operating have been pressured to signal strict NDAs to preserve the hush-hush tryouts below wraps, and even the crew have been sworn to absolute secrecy.
The auditions might be full-scale dress rehearsals, with judges and even a stay band current to recreate the really feel of a actual present.
A supply whispers: “It’s not just about reading autocue. They’ll be looking at how people work together and humour is a massive part of it. There’s everything to play for.”
‘Crown jewel of BBC’
The chosen few who’ve been referred to as to the last take a look at might be watched intently by Sarah James, the govt producer of Strictly since 2019 and the Beeb’s head of leisure Kalpna Patel-Knight.
And I’m informed that even incoming director-general Matt Brittin, who doesn’t take over as prime canine till subsequent month, might be stored up to date on any developments.
A BBC supply stated: “Strictly is the crown jewel of the BBC. With Claudia and Tess now gone, it needs to be handled with the utmost care. Bosses are taking a very keen interest.”
Interestingly, I’m additionally informed that every of the candidates are being vetted intently for any skeletons lurking of their closets in mild of the Scott Mills scandal.
The Radio 2 presenter was sacked from the Beeb over his “personal conduct” and it was later found he had been quizzed by police in 2018 following an allegation of a “historic sexual offence” in opposition to a boy below 16.
My supply stated: “They do not want to take any chances. The Strictly has had its fair share of scandal and the new presenters need to be as clean as a whistle.”
Bosses are stated to be eager to transfer rapidly and make a resolution as soon as they’ve seen the stars in motion.
Not simply because they need the new pairing – and even trio – to have time to mattress in and construct chemistry over the summer.
But as a result of a few of the celebrity contenders have iron-clad contracts and their diaries are already filling up.
Among these confirmed to be entering into the highlight are Rylan Clark and Emma Willis, with Rylan stated to be “buzzing” about the alternative and decided to impress.
“Rylan is really excited,” my supply on the inside stated. “He sees this as a huge alternative and needs to present precisely what he can do. Emma Willis can be eager to wow in entrance of the cameras.
“They’ve presented together on This Morning several times so it’s a pairing that works and viewers love.”
They actually need to convey the enjoyable this 12 months. It’s all about chemistry who clicks immediately and might preserve the power up stay on air.
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Also in attendance might be RuPaul‘s Drag Race star La Voix, who in accordance to my supply, is a extremely popular alternative with bosses.
The cabaret star, whose actual name is Christopher Dennis, danced with Aljaž Skorjanec final sequence earlier than pulling out due to damage.
I first revealed that the BBC have been eyeing her up for a function on the present again in December, when she was drafted in to host the finalists’ press convention.
A supply stated: “They’ve mentioned La Voix’s name a lot. She’s definitely a favourite with some, but nothing is set in stone yet.”
Other prime names who’ve been referred to as into the last bootcamp are comic Tom Allen, podcast host Angela Scanlon and One Show presenter Alex Jones.
And in a twist, producers are prioritising one factor above all else – banter.
A supply stated: “They really want to bring the fun this year. It’s all about chemistry who clicks instantly and can keep the energy up live on air.”
“They could stick with two female hosts as that’s worked brilliantly,” the insider added. “But they’re additionally open to mixing it up.
“If Rylan and Tom Allen click, that could be a hilarious pairing. Equally, they could even introduce a third presenter to shake things up.”
Bosses are believed to be testing a vary of combos and nothing is off the desk.
Other stars summoned to the tryouts are This Morning host Alison Hammond, The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh and Radio 2‘s Zoe Ball.
It’s a much less completely satisfied story for the Strictly professionals who’ve confronted one thing of a massacre in current weeks.
Several of the present’s skilled dancers, together with Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas have been axed from the fundamental present.
But of their place might be a bevvie of latest TikTok-friendly professionals dancers.
And after this week’s last auditions, we are going to quickly know the new hosts to welcome them onto the dancefloor.
