Angela Scanlon tipped to step into Strictly Come Dancing presenting role
angela scanlon has emerged as a leading candidate to join the presenting line-up for Strictly Come Dancing after recent meetings with the show’s bosses. The One Show presenter, who is 42 and from County Meath, Ireland, has a recent history with the programme as a former contestant and a steady presence on daytime television.
Angela Scanlon’s One Show record and 2023 Strictly appearance
Scanlon has been a reporter on The One Show since 2016 and has stood in as host in the absence of Alex Jones. She competed on Strictly in 2023, dancing with Carlos Gu, who remains part of the programme. Those facts have been central to how she is being considered for a move from daytime presenting to the flagship Saturday-night slot.
Meetings after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down
Talks with Strictly’s leadership have taken place in recent weeks as part of the search to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left the show at the end of last year. Executives have been looking for presenters who combine a recognisable profile with an ability to fit the show’s live rhythm; one explicit preference has been for at least one presenter to offer a regional accent.
Other names are under consideration for the roles. Zoe Ball and One Show colleague Alex Jones are among those still on the shortlist. Senior management has discussed keeping options open among those presenters, though some potential candidates are said to be hesitant about the commitment the role demands.
Friends of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have highlighted the gruelling schedule that comes with fronting the show: long Fridays and very late Saturdays in the run-up to the Christmas special. That reality is feeding into discussions about whether the format will again use two women hosts or introduce a male anchor alongside a new co-host.
Chemistry tests after Easter and the next steps for Angela Scanlon
Producers have identified “chemistry tests” as the next stage in casting, and those sessions are due to take place after Easter. The broadcaster has signalled an appetite to evaluate on-screen pairings directly, and those tests will determine which presenters move forward into rehearsals and promotion for the autumn series.
In internal conversations, Scanlon has been described as a broadcaster’s own talent who could grow into the role. Her profile as a One Show presenter and her 2023 Strictly experience are being weighed alongside practical concerns about workload and pairing dynamics for a live Saturday-night show.
For now, angela scanlon remains in active discussions with the show’s leadership. The confirmed next milestone is the chemistry tests scheduled to take place after Easter; those sessions will decide whether she advances from candidate to co-presenter and will shape the visible line-up when the series returns later in the year.
