Bradley Walsh has declared that taking on the role of Strictly Come Dancing host would “ruin” his weekends.
The television presenter, already a household name thanks to popular shows like The Chase and Gladiators, has been rumoured as a potential successor for the BBC’s flagship dance show. After the 2025 series, long-standing hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hung up their sequins, stating it “feels like the right time”, leaving fans speculating about their replacements.
However, in a recent interview with Radio Times, Bradley, 65, seemed to rule himself out of the role.
When asked if he and his son Barney, who co-hosts Gladiators with him, would consider filling the Strictly vacancy, Bradley gave an insight into his winter weekend routine, reports Wales Online.
He explained: “I come home from the studio on a Friday, have dinner and watch I’m a Celebrity. On Saturday, I’ll watch the football results, have dinner and a pint, watch Strictly, then I’m a Celebrity, and flip back to the BBC for Match of the Day.
“On Sunday I get up late, watch some Columbo, then the football, followed by the Strictly results, then I’m a Celebrity, and then Match of the Day. If I was to host Strictly, it would absolutely ruin my weekend.”
Barney, 28, backed up his father’s sentiments, confirming it was “completely true”. “That’s Dad’s weekend, every weekend,” he added.
Claudia and Tess revealed their departure from Strictly Come Dancing in October.
“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,” they shared in a post on Instagram.
Since their announcement, a number of celebrities have been rumoured to be in the running for the hosting role, including The One Show’s Alex Jones, former Strictly professional Kevin Clifton and his partner Stacey Dooley as well as presenter Rylan.
Loose Women and Lorraine’s Christine Lampard, along with TV judge Rob Rinder, have also been suggested as potential successors for the job.
