Strictly’s Ellie Taylor Reveals What Former It Takes Two Hosts Told Her Ahead Of Big Debut
Ellie Taylor has revealed the supportive message she received from Fleur East after being confirmed as the new host of Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It Takes Two.
The comedian and TV presenter, 42, will front a revamped version of the BBC Two programme when it returns on Monday, September 28, following the first live show of Strictly’s 2026 series.
Ellie is replacing former presenters Janette Manrara and Fleur East, marking another major change across the Strictly franchise this year.
The main BBC One show has also entered a new era, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Ellie Says She ‘Squealed’ After Landing the Job
Ellie, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing herself in 2022 alongside professional dancer Johannes, admitted she could barely contain her excitement when she discovered she had been offered the It Takes Two role.
Recalling the moment, she said: “My husband was downstairs, and I sort of badly cha-cha’d into the kitchen, going da da da da da doing the Strictly theme tune.”
She joked that it had been a “subtle little announcement” before revealing just how much the job means to her.
“I was delighted, and still am,” Ellie said.
“I keep waking up in the middle of the night, being like, ‘Oh my God, I got the dream job! I can’t believe it! I cannot wait to start!’”
She added: “And I’m absolutely thrilled.”
Fleur East Sends Supportive Message
Janette confirmed in June that she was “no longer a part” of Strictly, after presenting It Takes Two since 2021.
Fleur has not publicly commented on her own departure from the programme, but Ellie revealed the pair had been in contact after she was offered the job.
Ellie and Fleur previously competed on Strictly during the same 2022 series.
“I did Strictly with Fleur, and when I found out I got It Takes Two, I messaged her and said I hoped I could do half as good a job as she had,” Ellie explained.
She said Fleur responded warmly.
“She wrote a lovely message back and was really supportive.”
‘I Feel So Lucky’
Ellie also spoke about the presenters who have previously fronted It Takes Two and admitted she feels honoured to be joining that list.
“When you look back at the previous hosts of It Takes Two, I feel so lucky to be part of this lineage of brilliant presenters,” she said.
“I really hope I can bring what they did to the show.”
Despite taking over such a familiar programme, Ellie insisted she does not feel any unusual pressure.
“I don’t suppose I feel any more pressure than I would with any job,” she explained.
“You just want to do any job that you get to the best of your ability.”
She did, however, warn that her enthusiasm might be difficult for the production team to contain.
“I’m going to go in with probably too much enthusiasm, if anything,” she joked.
“So I feel sorry for the production staff who have to manage sort of a Labrador level of energy.”
Ellie ‘Chuffed’ for Johannes
Ellie’s new job also creates another connection with her former professional dance partner.
Johannes Radebe, who partnered Ellie during her 2022 Strictly journey, is now one of the three new hosts of the main programme.
Speaking about their respective new roles, Ellie described it as “wonderful how things transpire”.
She added that she was “chuffed” for Johannes as he begins his own new chapter on the show.
The changes come as Strictly Come Dancing begins its 2026 series with 15 new celebrity contestants.
The pre-recorded launch show aired on September 19 and introduced viewers to the latest cast, while also unveiling the new presenting trio.
Unlike previous years, the celebrities met their professional partners directly on the dance floor rather than through pre-recorded introduction videos.
With Ellie now preparing to take over It Takes Two, the wider Strictly family is entering one of its biggest periods of change in years.
But if her reaction to landing the role is anything to go by, Ellie is more than ready to bring her own energy to the BBC Two favourite.
