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Amanda Holden has reached out to the executive producer of Strictly Come Dancing , encouraging her to contact her radio co-presenter following Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly's stunning departure announcement. In a shocking revelation yesterday, the presenting duo Claudia and Tess declared they would be stepping down from Strictly , bringing to a close over two decades of presenting duties on the BBC's flagship programme and its companion show It Takes Two. The veteran presenters shared on Instagram that they "loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream", adding they were "always going to leave together" and felt it was the "right time". Following their announcement, speculation has been rife regarding potential successors, with names including Stacey Dooley, Kevin Clifton, Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, and Roman Kemp all being suggested as contenders, though Amanda Holden has put forward her own candidate. During Friday's entertainment news section on Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda (October 24), former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts led with the Strictly bombshell, prompting discussion about who might take over presenting duties, reports the Mirror . Jamie suggested that Strictly is the kind of programme where the format is "stronger than the host" and would endure regardless of who fronts it, prompting Ashley to praise Claudia and Tess as "fantastic", which led the radio host to clarify he hadn't intended to sound "dismissive". Amanda chipped in, declaring: "I think it's gonna be tricky because what you...what I think what they need to do is think left-field, rather than half the people they're putting in the papers today, because they're just boring. "I'm like, 'Think left-field'; think of somebody that can dance, that's been on the show". At this moment, Ashley could be heard chuckling as she responded: "Could it be me? Let's toss my name in the mix." Amanda went on: "I'll tell you the other thing, as well, is it's a big commitment; there's, you know, lots of weekends taken up, but I think you'd be alright", with Ashley responding that she'd "absolutely love it", though Strictly bosses "haven't reached out yet". But Amanda shot back: "Well, Sarah [James - Strictly's executive producer] is listening. I know she listens to Heart Breakfast, so give Ashley a call". Ashley then playfully spoke to Sarah through the radio and said she was "reaching out" to her. Ashley, who teamed up with professional dancer Pasha Kovalev, finished as runner-up in the 2018 series of Strictly. Throughout the programme, the pair wowed audiences with their routines and came agonisingly close to claiming the Glitterball trophy. Chatting to the Standard, Ashley branded her stint on the programme a "magical experience". She also revealed what she yearned for most about the show. She said: "Every Saturday, going out there and having a whole new style. "You've got the character, and the costume, and the glam and all the production. It was so rewarding to look back at everything you did. It's hard work but it's such a magical experience." Heart Breakfast with Jamie and Amanda airs weekdays from 6.30am.
