Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has revealed that her mum wants Rylan Clark to replace outgoing presenters Tess Daley and Claudia Winkleman.
The long-serving hosts stunned fans and colleagues alike by announcing their departure in a shared Instagram post on Thursday morning, prompting a wave of messages from everyone associated with the show.
The pair will continue to host the BBC dance competition until the end of the current series.
Now the corporation is searching for their replacements, and Shirley said her mum has already made her mind up.
Shirley, who lives with her mother Audrey Rich, 88, told the Wimbledon BookFest on Sunday: ‘If my mother had her way, it would be Rylan Clark who replaces them.’
The This Morning presenter is one of the favourites to replace the duo. Other frontrunners in the mix to replace the hosts include Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton.
Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has revealed that her mum wants Rylan Clark to replace outgoing presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daley (pictured together)
The long-serving hosts stunned fans and colleagues alike by announcing their departure in a shared Instagram post on Thursday morning, prompting a wave of messages from everyone associated with the show (seen)
Now the corporation is searching for their replacements, and Shirley said her mum Audrey Rich, 88, has already made her mind up
Asked if she had any ideas who she’d like to see replace them, Shirley said: ‘Oh absolutely darling, but I couldn’t reveal.’
Shirley also confessed that she will also walk away from the much-loved dance show one day.
She added: ‘I have a very good relationship with them. But sometimes in people’s lives — and we have to respect this — they are ready to move on.
‘We don’t want them to move on, but they are ready to move on. And one day I’ll be ready to move on, and that will be my choice when I feel I’m ready to go.
‘And somebody else will come in, and after a show or two you’ll fall in love with the next person.’
Shirley, who has worked with the hosts since joining the judging panel in 2017, said: ‘I will miss them tremendously. I can only wish them both well wherever they land, and they’re going to do an amazing job.’
Shirley, who was discussing her new book, Best Foot Forward, said that the show would continue to ‘thrive’ without the presenting duo despite recent controversies which have plagued the show.
She said: ‘Strictly Come Dancing will thrive as long as it’s bringing joy to the general public. There’ll always be outrage and always, “Oh, this is going to die, that’s going to die, the show won’t be anything without them.”
Shirley, who lives with mum Audrey, told the Wimbledon BookFest on Sunday: ‘If my mother had her way, it would be Rylan Clark who replaces them’ (Rylan pictured on It Takes Two)
The This Morning presenter is one of the favourites to replace the duo. Other frontrunners in the mix to replace the hosts include Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton (Zoe pictured in May)
‘I will actually miss them myself but things move on. It’s bigger than anybody — bigger than any star, celebrity, judge, presenter. Strictly is for the public.
‘You are the people it is there for, and I’m sad to see them go because from the very beginning, particularly Claudia and Tess were there to show me every single step.’
She described the pair as ‘great anchors’ of the show and was effusive in her praise of them backstage.
She said: ‘If you saw the relationship — I’m fortunate enough to have the changing room next to them — Motsi and all the other guys, they’re a bit further down the corridor, but I’m right next to them.
‘The laughter, the fun, the relationship they’ve got and how serious they take their jobs has been… and I’ve learned so much. It’s a sight to behold. It’s fantastic.’
Addressing the situation on her own social media platform, head judge Shirley, admitted the news of their abrupt exit has left her with a ‘broken heart’ on Thursday.
Sharing a lengthy post with followers, she wrote: ‘I don’t even know where to begin… when I joined back in 2017, it was Tess and Claudia who took me under their wings.
‘From day one they were my guiding lights, helping me find my feet, showing me the ropes of television and doing so with kindness, patience, generosity and always with a smile.
Shirley said that the show would continue to ‘thrive’ without the presenting duo despite recent controversies which have plagued the show (seen with the judges)
Addressing the situation on her own social media platform, head judge Shirley, admitted the news of their abrupt exit has left her with a ‘broken heart’ on Thursday
‘I have truly never met two more remarkable ladies. Their dedication, grace, humour and sheer hard work has helped make Strictly the magical show that it is. Their energy lifts the ballroom and their friendship is truly beautiful.’
She added: ‘Hearing they’re leaving the ballroom has broken my heart. My dressing room sits right next to theirs and I’ll miss popping in for our little chats.
‘Sometimes I walk in accidentally thinking their rooms are mine. Those moments have brought me such laughter and warmth over the years.
‘They are the duo that hold everything together and I’ll miss them more than words can say.
‘Thank you, my beautiful Tess and Claudia, for everything you’ve given to me, to our show and to the millions who adore you.
‘You’ve made my time on the show so very special and you both will always be superstar women in my book. Love you both to the moon and back.’
