In a surprising turn of events, Rylan Clark has officially ruled himself out of the running for the coveted Strictly Come Dancing hosting gig, just days after his chemistry test audition. Despite the high hopes and excitement surrounding his potential role, it seems Rylan has made a dramatic decision to step aside – leaving fans and insiders stunned.
Sources reveal that although hosting Strictly would be a “dream job” for Rylan, he quietly pulled out after the chemistry test, a crucial part of the selection process. According to reports, he began telling friends that he’s now focusing on a different project: Panto. The timing of his withdrawal has raised eyebrows, especially since Emma Willis – Rylan’s close friend and long-time collaborator – is now being tipped to take over from Tess Daly.
Emma, 50, who has long been a household name, reportedly impressed BBC bosses during her own chemistry test and is set to accept the offer to host this year’s series. Sources close to Emma say that she “absolutely nailed it” and was “thrilled” to be offered the role. With her warm, dependable presence, Emma is seen as the perfect fit to helm the dance spectacular alongside former It Takes Two host, Zoe Ball.
Emma is reportedly the new Strictly host (Credit: Cover Images)
Rylan, on the other hand, had made no secret of his ambition to host Strictly. He and Emma, who previously worked together on Big Brother and co-hosted This Morning during breaks, have shared undeniable chemistry over the years. Fans had been eager to see them reunite for one of the BBC’s most glamorous shows. However, insiders now suggest that Rylan wasn’t the right direction for the show.
Rylan is no longer going for the Strictly gig, according to reports (Credit: Cover Images)
“It’s surprising because Emma Willis is one of his closest friends,” said a source. “Rylan wasn’t the direction that Strictly wanted to go in. He wanted to make sure he had other plans and ruled himself out before anyone could say otherwise.”
Rylan and Emma won’t be hosting the show together, according to reports (Credit: Splash News)
As Rylan gears up for his next big project, fans are left wondering what comes next for the This Morning star. But one thing’s for sure – the Strictly hosting race just got a whole lot more interesting.
Stay tuned for more updates on who will join Emma in the Strictly spotlight this year!
