Vito Coppola named the new Strictly hosts (Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing pro Vito Coppola has named the stars he’d have replace hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after they quit the BBC show last year. Tess and Claudia announced their exit in a joint statement after decades on the programme, and speculation has been mounting since then as to who will eventually step into their shoes.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk at the UK Italian Awards, Vito named the stars he could see liaising with the judges and contestants later in 2026. He admitted: “I would like Fleur [East], why not? I think Zoe Ball could be good, or Rylan could be good. Do you know who I think, also? Miranda Hart. I think she would be amazing. She’s very very funny.”
Vito added: “There are so many people, it depends. We don’t know anything, as dancers. What is important is it’s going to be for sure someone who’s going to bring lots of sparkle, lots of joy, lots of fun, a good sense of humour…”
He joked: “Someone that hopefully can handle me, because I’m so extra! That should be part of the job [description]. ‘Listen, in case Vito comes back, listen, he’s so extra’.”
Vito also opened up on the pro “bloodbath” after stars including Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Michelle Tsiakkas confirmed their exits.
He said: “I haven’t seen any of the other pros, especially some of the pros who are not with us in this next series. I’ve seen only Michelle because me, Michelle and Nancy [Xu] went to see Dianne [Buswell’s] baby, Bowie.
“But what’s the best thing about Strictly? The fact that we have the ability to connect with people, to make friends for life.
He broke his silence on the pro axings (Image: Getty)
“As a dancer, our lives are very dynamic, so we always move. It’s like fish moving in water. We are aware that as a dancer, our career can always take different directions. It’s something that is constantly evolving and forming. The end of something is the beginning of something else.
Vito gushed: “I’m always very grateful and I consider myself a very lucky person. I’m so grateful to be here in the UK, I’m grateful for Strictly, grateful for MasterChef, grateful for my new book and to be able to share my love through dancing and food and cooking on TV, with everyone.”
Vito himself was honoured with the Outstanding Achievement Award at the UK Italian Awards, a special trophy recognising “long-term contribution, leadership or influence within the Italian food industry”.
