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Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Shirley Ballas has said that she "absolutely" knows who she wants to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as hosts after their shock announcement. The iconic duo announced last week that they would be stepping down from presenting duties after the current series. Ever since, plenty of names have been suggested as their potential replacements, with many recognisable suggestions among them. However, Shirley has said her mum has one idea that could be a serious possibility. Shirley, who lives with her mother Audrey Rich, 88, has said that they'd like Rylan Clark to take on the upcoming job. Shirley told the Wimbledon BookFest on Sunday: "If my mother had her way, it would be Rylan Clark who replaces them." She also said that she will leave the iconic dance show one day. She added: "I have a very good relationship with them. But sometimes in people's lives — and we have to respect this — they are ready to move on. "We don't want them to move on, but they are ready to move on. And one day I'll be ready to move on, and that will be my choice when I feel I'm ready to go. And somebody else will come in, and after a show or two you'll fall in love with the next person." There have been several suggestions as to who might replace Tess and Claudia next series. Rylan is among the names as well as Zoe Ball, Jeanette Manrara, Holly Willoughby , Roman Kemp, Fleur East and others. Claudia and Tess announced their departure last Thursday via a video posted to Instagram . It has been reported that they decided to announce the news mid-series, so it didn't take away from the winners. It's also been said that the duo had a pact to leave the show together. In the statement, they said: " We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. "We were always going to leave together, and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. "They’re the most brilliant tea,m and we’ll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last 'keep dancing' but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza." Their news was met with appreciation by stars past and present in the comments section of their Instagram post. Among those responding was Amy Dowden, who wrote: "Nooooo, absolutely gutted! Our beautiful strictly queens!" Previous contestant AJ Odudu also replied, saying: "Bowing down to you two Queens! Love you Legends both so much." Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
