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Alex Jones is apparently “in talks” about presenting the show (Image: PA)

Beloved Welsh presenter, The One Show’s Alex Jones, is reportedly “in talks” to become the new Strictly Come Dancing presenter alongside Bradley Walsh. This comes after current hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman made their shocking announcement that they would be steeping down from the role at the end of this season.

TV bosses are said to believe that Alex Jones and The Chase’s Bradley Walsh would made a great pairing for the show in succession to Tess and Claudia.

In September the duo released a statement revealing their intentions to leave the dancing celebrity dancing competition. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter

Their statement read: “We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.

“We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show.”

Alex has already appeared on the show as a contestant dancing with professional partner James Jordan. The pair made it all the way to the week prior to the final in 2011.

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Alex Jones(Image: BBC)

Speaking to The Sun, an insider said: “Alex and Bradley are both the favourites to take over from Tess and Claudia. They have been in the BBC’s sights for some time, as Tess and Claudia’s exit plan has been known for a while.

“Bradley and Alex are both seen as accomplished broadcasters. He brings the wisecracks and Alex is the calm head who knows how to handle live situations after 15 years of co-hosting The One Show. Alex is a massive fan of Strictly too so this would be the dream gig for her.

They went on to say that whilst talks remained at an early stage, it looked like a positive step forward.

The insider also said the programme’s tried-and-tested format, including the studio, signature music and panel of judges, would stay the same so as not to alarm viewers.

Yet BBC bosses are keen to “refresh” the show with an updated logo and new “faces on the dance floor.”

Numerous names have been put forward, including Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Holly Willoughby, Bradley Walsh, Hannah Waddingham, and others. Also in the frame are Janette Manrara and Fleur East, who currently front the Strictly spin-off programme It Takes Two.

The Mirror reported that Tess’ exit was arranged to give her more time with her family, but PR specialist Mark Borkowski believes she may be eyeing a transatlantic switch.

He told the Mirror: “Tess has the advantage of a blank canvas. Her exit timing feels deliberate – just when Strictly starts to show its age. If she plays it right, this is her Madonna reinvention phase: same warmth, new edge. The US rumours make sense – she has the polish and credibility to slip into glossy network formats or daytime franchises without breaking stride.”

At the same time, it appears Claudia might be looking to present her own chat show, along the lines of Graham Norton’s successful programme. Sources indicate her show would be broadcast when Graham is off air to prevent clashing audiences.