Speculation surrounding the future hosts of Strictly Come Dancing has shifted dramatically after one of the frontrunners officially took herself out of the running.
New Contract Secures ITV Future
Alison Hammond, the beloved TV personality, has signed a new presenting contract with ITV for This Morning, effectively ending rumours that she was poised to take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on the BBC's flagship dance show. The 50-year-old, who presents the ITV daytime show every Friday with Dermot O'Leary, is now firmly committed to her role there.
A source told The Sun: "Alison is a huge talent and no one was surprised she's being looked at for Strictly. But she's very happy at This Morning so, as far as anyone knows, has no intention to quit to take on the dance show." The insider added that while schedule juggling might be needed, her primary loyalty remains with ITV.
Who Are The Other Contenders?
With Hammond now out of contention, the search for the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts intensifies. Reports from The Mirror suggest that screen tests are planned for next month, with a shortlist of ten major names.
The rumoured candidates include a host of well-known faces from British television and radio:
- Bradley Walsh
- Alex Jones
- Alan Carr
- Rylan Clark
- Rob Rinder
- Zoe Ball
- Holly Willoughby
- Amanda Holden
- Angela Scanlon
The same source emphasised that "no one is bigger than the show", indicating the BBC will select the pairing they believe best complements the series.
Hammond Addresses 'Overexposure' Claims
Alison Hammond, whose career skyrocketed after winning Big Brother in 2022, has also recently addressed suggestions that she is appearing on television too frequently. She robustly dismissed these claims in an interview with The Guardian.
"No. If I need to rest up or a job doesn't appeal, I won't do it. I'm good at saying no. I turn down 10 things per day, no exaggeration," she stated defiantly.
She pointed out that her visibility is partly because it remains uncommon to see a Black woman in such prominent presenting roles, contrasting her experience with that of peers like Davina McCall or Ant and Dec. Hammond, who is believed to have recently moved in with her 28-year-old model boyfriend David Putnam, proudly highlighted her 22-year journey in the industry, stating she is "just me, doing a job that I adore to the best of my ability."
This new contract solidifies her position as a cornerstone of ITV's daytime schedule, while the BBC continues its hunt for the perfect duo to lead Strictly Come Dancing into its next glittering era.
