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Former Strictly pro Clifton has addressed speculation that he's poised to replace hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly alongside his partner Stacey Dooley. Claudia and Tess stunned viewers last week when they revealed they're departing the BBC dance show at the conclusion of this series. The pair made television history as the first all-female presenting partnership in primetime when they teamed up in 2014. Tess has been with Strictly Come Dancing since its inception, originally co-hosting with Bruce Forsyth from 2004. With their exits on the horizon, speculation has begun mounting about who might succeed them, reports the Mirror . Kevin's name has been mentioned as a potential replacement alongside his partner Stacey, who he met on the programme. Kevin left Strictly in 2020, two years after securing the Glitterball trophy with TV presenter and documentary filmmaker Stacey. The pair have maintained their professional collaboration beyond the dancefloor, currently both appearing in 2:22 A Ghost Story. Stacey's odds stand at 2/1 to host Strictly. Kevin backed her, saying on Good Morning Britain : "Stace would be amazing." Nevertheless, he disclosed: "But we have had no conversations about it." When questioned about missing the programme, Kevin responded: "Not necessarily the workload, but I still love it. Me and Stacey are on the other side of it now, where we sit down like everyone else and watch it as fans. We're obsessed with Strictly, we've become like super fans." Tess and Claudia kicked off Saturday night's (October 25) programme by addressing their bombshell revelation. Tess started: "Just before we get started tonight, Claud and I announced this week that this will be our last series of Strictly Come Dancing ." The studio erupted in applause as Claudia picked up: "We want to thank you for your beautiful messages. We've got another eight weeks on this incredible show and a Strictly champion to crown." The presenting pair had previously pledged to depart as a team. Meanwhile, Strictly spin-off It Takes Two hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East are currently leading the bookies' odds to take over on the main show. Other celebrities rumoured to be in contention include Roman Kemp, Zoe Ball, Hannah Waddingham, Rylan Clark, Emma Willis and Rose Ayling-Ellis. Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.
