The BBC could be about to make its boldest move yet — and it all centres on Holly Willoughby. According to a former BBC boss, the network has its eyes firmly set on the beloved TV presenter to front Strictly Come Dancing, following the shock exit of longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
🌟 A Shocking Claim from an Ex-BBC Insider
Ex-BBC One Controller Peter Fincham revealed to the Daily Mail that a major television insider — one who just happens to share his hairdresser — let slip that “Holly Willoughby will take over.”
Fincham added with a grin: “My hairdresser also cuts the hair of a very well-known channel controller. What’s said in Harry’s, the hairdresser, stays in Harry’s. But he says, with great confidence, that Holly Willoughby will take over.”
💫 From ITV’s Golden Girl to BBC’s Next Leading Lady?
Former ITV This Morning and Celebrity Bear Hunt presenter Holly Willoughby
For years, Holly was the face of ITV — fronting major hits like This Morning and Dancing On Ice. But her surprise decision to leave This Morning in 2023, following a terrifying kidnap plot against her, left fans heartbroken.
Since then, she briefly returned to television alongside Stephen Mulhern on Dancing On Ice — until the show was cancelled last year. Now, with no plans to revive it, insiders believe this could be the perfect moment for her to make the jump to the BBC.
Sources say Holly has long-standing ties with senior BBC executives — and her husband, Dan Baldwin, already produces several high-profile BBC shows. Rumours first linked her to a possible Strictly role as far back as 2023, but now those whispers are growing louder.
💃 Who Will Stand Beside Her?
Tess and Claudia quit the show (Credit: BBC/Guy Levy)
If the reports are true, Holly won’t be dancing solo. BBC is reportedly still deciding who her new co-host will be — and the shortlist is star-studded.
According to The Sun, both Alex Jones (The One Show) and Bradley Walsh (The Chase) are in advanced talks to join her. Fans are especially excited about the idea of Bradley — not only is he one of Britain’s most beloved TV personalities, but he and Holly have history.
The two previously filmed a pilot called Take Off With Holly and Bradley in 2019 — a project that never aired due to the Covid pandemic — and they also co-hosted the ITV comedy panel show Play To The Whistle from 2015 to 2017.
🕵️♀️ BBC Stays Silent — For Now
The BBC has so far declined to comment on the rumours, keeping the mystery alive. But one thing’s certain — if the whispers are true, this could mark Holly Willoughby’s spectacular comeback to prime-time television.
