They’re among the most prestigious job vacancies in showbusiness: the two presenting roles on Strictly.
Fans are buzzing with speculation that replacements for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman could include Holly Willoughby, Alan Carr or Zoe Ball.
Yet one of the show’s longest-serving professionals Katya Jones has revealed she would like her colleague Janette Manrara to take one of the much-desired slots.
Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, the Russian dancer, 36, said Janette could ‘understand what the dancers are going through’.
She explained: ‘I think Janette would make a better Claudia if I’m honest, because she knows the dancing, she knows what we are going through. But Alan, he would be hilarious with the judges, imagine him with Craig!’
Janette, 41, was a professional dancer on the show until 2021, before presenting the spin-off show, It Takes Two.
Strictly Come Dancing pro Katya Jones reveals who she thinks should take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
Tess and Claudia, who have fronted the show together since 2014, announced their departure in an emotional social media video
Janette would be following in Claudia’s footsteps, who hosted It Takes Two from 2004 before eventually handing the baton over to Zoe Ball in 2012.
It’s no surprise Janette’s name has been bandied around as she is someone who knows the show like the back of her hand, with her odds at 3-1.
The Cuban-American star is best known in the UK for her work on the BBC show, which she appeared on from 2013 for eight series.
Alex Jones, Bradley Walsh, Stacey Dooley, Kevin Clifton, Alex Scott, and Roman Kemp have also been mentioned for the role.
Katya joined the BBC show in 2016 for its 14th series, and danced her way to victory the following year with Joe McFadden.
This year, she is paired with Lewis Cope, who blew the judges away as he received the first 40 of the series for his couple’s choice dance to a quick version of Radiohead’s Creep.
But since week one, the Emmerdale actor, 30, has faced some criticism after his dance background was revealed during the launch show.
Lewis joined Strictly at the last minute after Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn withdrew due to injury.
The Russian dancer, 36, has said the best person for the job is Janette Manrara because she would ‘understand what they are going through’
And during a pre-recorded segment on the BBC show, Lewis confessed he had been dancing since the age of 10 – even landing a role in Billy Elliot in London’s West End.
He has now addressed the backlash, telling The Mail on Sunday: ‘First of all, the experience I did have was a long time ago, and then I went to train as an actor. I’ve never trained professionally as a dancer.
‘It is out of my hands what the viewers think. All I can do is work as hard as I can, and what they decide is up to them.
‘If people watched during rehearsals, people would not call me a professional dancer! I’m head to toe in sweat. It is hard. It takes so much hard work to get to Saturday night.’
Katya added: ‘What we took from the stat is we want to entertain people, we want to give something special to the audience. My job as a professional is to give my celebrity a moment they can treasure forever. I’d like to think that every one of them has something to take away. I can only try every week to create that special routine.
‘I’m not finding it easier or quicker than with any other partner. If anything, I’m finding it harder because I can ask a lot more from him.’
Reflecting on growing up in Hartlepool with his 13 siblings, Lewis left home at just 10 years old to live in London and pursue his career in performing as he admitted he often misses his family, especially his Nanna Dot.
And sure to make his family proud Lewis and his partner Katya Jones brought the house down with the incredible performance full of twists and tricks.
Lewis achieved the first 40 of the series as he blew the judges away with his sensational couple’s choice dance
Leaving Motsi Mabuse on her feet, Craig Revel Horwood deemed the performance ‘Spooktacular’ while Motsi added it was ‘out of this world’.
Meanwhile Shirley Ballas was moved to tears as she thanked his family for letting Lewis follow his dreams and share his talent with the nation.
Anton Du Beke added it was the best of the series by a ‘million miles’ and he couldn’t have done anything to make it better.
Previously speaking about his dance experience in a Strictly segment, Lewis said: ‘When I was 11, I was in Billy Elliot in the West End, which was quite relevant to my life. So my brothers were boxing and I was dancing.’
At just 18 years old, he performed in front of Got to Dance judges Ashley Banjo, Kimberly Wyatt and Aston Merrygold with Ruff Diamond.
Ruff Diamond also appeared on Children in Need, danced alongside the EastEnders cast, and was crowned UK Hip Hop Champions twice.
The group even represented the UK at the 2013 World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Las Vegas.
Lewis left Ruff Diamond in 2015, aged 20, to study acting at the prestigious Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
He joined the cast of Emmerdale in 2022, playing Nicky Miligan, and bid farewell to the Dales in July 2024 when his character left the village with his boyfriend, Suni Sharma.
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
George Clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’
Amber Davies
Age: 28
Profession: West End star
She says: ‘This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.’
