BBC bosses have reportedly drawn up a ‘Golden Ten’ shortlist of presenters as they search for replacements for Strictly Come Dancing’s long-time hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.

Claudia, 53, and Tess, 56, will bow out of the glitzy ballroom at the end of this year’s series – but the stars hoping to step into their glittering shoes won’t have it easy.

According to reports, contenders will be put through a series of partner-swap chemistry tests, with BBC executives keen to find the perfect on-screen pairing.

Three names are said to be emerging as frontrunners, including Bradley Walsh, Alex Jones and Alan Carr – with Alan, 49, said to be firmly at the top of the list.

However, all ten shortlisted stars will reportedly work with one another on screen in a bid to decide which partnership works best.

A source told The Sun: ‘Replacing Claudia and Tess is a mammoth task but the BBC have whittled down the talent to ten people.

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BBC bosses have reportedly drawn up a ‘Golden Ten’ shortlist of presenters as they search for replacements for Strictly Come Dancing’s long-time hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly (pictured this month)

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Claudia, 53, and Tess, 56, will bow out of the glitzy ballroom at the end of this year’s series – but the stars hoping to step into their glittering shoes won’t have it easy (L-R Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke)

‘As well as Bradley, Alex and Alan, Rylan Clark, Rob Rinder, Zoe Ball, and Holly Willoughby will be at the chemistry day.

‘Amanda Holden, Alison Hammond, and Angela Scanlon have made the cut too.’

The insider added that the stars will be brought into a studio and placed into different pairings to see who has the strongest on-screen connection.

They explained that pairings could consist of two women, two men, or a mixed partnership, as Strictly bosses look to ‘mix things up’ and find a combination that hasn’t been tried before.

Fresh from his win on Celebrity Traitors last month, Alan is believed to be in pole position.

However, his nationwide 2027 comedy tour could clash with that year’s Strictly schedule, potentially throwing a spanner in the works.

Despite this, insiders have reportedly claimed that Alan would be unlikely to turn down the presenting role if he made the final cut following the chemistry tests.

Daily Mail has contacted BBC for comment.

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According to reports, contenders will be put through a series of partner-swap chemistry tests, with BBC executives keen to find the perfect on-screen pairing (pictured: this year’s contestants and pro dancers)

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Fresh from his win on Celebrity Traitors last month, Alan is believed to be in pole position. However, his nationwide 2027 comedy tour could clash with that year’s Strictly schedule (pictured on the show)

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The Chase host Bradley Walsh is also reportedly a front-runner in the ‘Golden Ten’ shortlist (pictured January)

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Welsh TV show host Alex Jones is also said to be one of the three frontrunners (pictured November)

The news comes as Tess and Claudia are planning their Strictly farewell in style – with insiders suggesting the duo may even take to the dancefloor.

They will be stepping down as hosts after more than 20 years on the show, with the final on December being their last live show.

And while the pair make a running joke about their two left feet and lack of rhythm, it looks like fans could finally see them perform.

A TV insider told the Daily Mail talks are still in the works about an epic group dance with the professional dancers.

The judges will have their work cut out teaching Claudia who messed up their Blackpool routine two years ago.

She previously joked: ‘I’m not very good at standing, let alone dancing.’

Tess, meanwhile, has performed once before when she danced with Anton Du Beke for a Children In Need special.

‘Both hosts are the first to admit they’re not natural movers, certainly not compared to the pros they’re surrounded by every week,’ a source added to The Sun.

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TV favourite Alison Hammond could bring her fun-loving personality and top-notch presenting skills to the role of a new Strictly host (pictured October)

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Meanwhile, Holly Willoughby could make her TV comeback as she is also reportedly in the running (pictured March)

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Angela Scanlon has also reportedly been lined up as one of the ‘Golden Ten’ (pictured November)

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Meanwhile, Zoe Ball is also said to be on the BBC’s radar (pictured May)

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This Morning host Rylan Clark has also been placed in the lineup (pictured with Josie Gibson in August)

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Meanwhile, the BBC are reportedly keeping tabs on Rob Rinder too (pictured June 2024)

‘But they know this is a special occasion and this special routine is as much an opportunity for everyone on the show to say goodbye to Tess and Claudia as it is for the viewers at home.

‘What better way to bid farewell to Britain’s biggest dance show than with a good dance? Bosses are keeping the details of the ‘last dance’ a closely kept secret though they’re expecting it to be fun and celebratory in tone.’

Daily Mail has contacted Strictly for comment.

The hosts spoke about their imminent exit as they appeared on It Takes Two on Tuesday.

Asked by Fleur East if the reality of their departure has sunk in, Tess replied: ‘The short answer is no.

‘I genuinely haven’t had time to think about it, because we’ve been so into this series, so absorbed by it – it’s such a brilliant series that all of our focus is on that, really.

‘So I think it’d be a bit of a shock on the 20th. I might get emotional.’

Claudia added: ‘I think we will be emotional, but of course, it won’t be about us. It’ll be about the winners.’

‘So we’re not allowed to cry,’ Tess said.

Tess presented the series since it first launched in 2004 alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, while Claudia fronted its weekday companion show, It Takes Two.

Claudia eventually moved on to host the Sunday night results show alongside Daly and joined the main show every Saturday from 2014, after Sir Bruce stepped down.

The pair picked up the entertainment programme gong at the BAFTA TV Awards in 2024 and were made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours for their services to broadcasting.

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The news comes as Tess and Claudia are planning their Strictly farewell in style – with insiders suggesting the duo may even take to the dancefloor (pictured September)

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While the pair make a running joke about their two left feet and lack of rhythm, it looks like fans could finally see them perform

During Sunday night’s results show, the judges decided to save West End star Amber Davies and her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin after they found themselves in the bottom two alongside former Emmerdale star Lewis Cope and professional dancer Katya Jones.

Amber joins EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, internet star George Clarke and former Lioness and sports broadcaster Karen Carney as semi-finalists.

The couples will perform during this weekend’s semi-final, airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 6.35pm on Saturday, with the results show at 7.45pm on Sunday.

Each couple will perform two new routines and there will be performances from Australian singer Kylie Minogue and boyband Five.