Dermot O’Leary has finally addressed rumours linking him to a potential hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing.
The 52-year-old This Morning star has been among several names speculated to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who announced last month that they would be stepping down at the end of the current series.
Dermot, who previously fronted The X Factor — Strictly’s long-running rival — until the show was axed by ITV in 2018 due to falling ratings, has now insisted he is not in talks to join the BBC dance show. He even joked that such a move would likely annoy his former boss, Simon Cowell.
Currently, Dermot presents This Morning on Fridays and during school holidays alongside Alison Hammond, and has hosted a Saturday programme on BBC Radio 2 since 2014.
During an appearance on Ireland’s The Six O’Clock Show, Dermot was asked by hosts Brian Dowling and Katja Mia whether BBC bosses had approached him about the coveted Strictly role.
Turning to the camera and asked outright, “Confirm or deny?” Dermot O’Leary simply replied, “Deny.”
He then joked, “You know, being an X Factor kid, that’s like Julia Roberts in Sleeping With the Enemy.”
When co-host Brian Dowling added, “Simon Cowell would not allow that!” Dermot quipped, “Even though the show’s not on TV anymore, he’d still hunt me down!”
Dermot originally presented The X Factor from 2008 to 2014. After being replaced by Olly Murs and Caroline Flack in 2015, he returned briefly in 2016.
Meanwhile, speculation continues over who will replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing. Last week, ITV favourite Holly Willoughby and BBC host Alex Jones were tipped as potential successors.
Former BBC One Controller Peter Fincham revealed to the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden that Holly, known for Dancing On Ice and This Morning, is being lined up for the flagship BBC show. Fincham shared that an industry insider whose hair he also cuts confidently claimed, “Holly Willoughby will take over.”
If the insider’s tip proves accurate, Holly Willoughby could make a dramatic return to television by taking the helm of Strictly Come Dancing. Holly quit This Morning in 2023 after 14 years amid intense public scrutiny, making the potential move even more striking.
Should Holly take the reins, it’s believed she could be reunited with close friend Bradley Walsh. The duo previously worked together on a 2019 pilot, Take Off With Holly & Bradley, which never progressed to a series due to Covid. They also co-hosted ITV’s sports comedy panel show Play to the Whistle from 2015 to 2017.
Bradley, a household name thanks to iconic quiz show The Chase and the Gladiators reboot with his son Barney, is said to appeal to both older and younger viewers — a key draw for Strictly bosses.
However, insiders have also suggested another twist: Bradley could potentially be paired with BBC favourite Alex Jones. Talks are reportedly ongoing for the duo to appear together on the 2026 series.
A source told The Sun:
“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. Bradley brings the wisecracks, and Alex is the calm head who knows how to handle live situations after 15 years co-hosting The One Show. Alex is a massive fan of Strictly, so this would be a dream gig for her.”
The insider added that while “nothing is set in stone yet,” discussions with the pair have been “moving in a really positive direction.”
Meanwhile, following his recent success on Celebrity Traitors, Alan Carr has also reportedly been considered for a potential hosting role. A source hinted:
“He has got to be up there with the BBC to get a huge new role. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge… Strictly.”