Ex-Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli has said the show should stick with female hosts when replacing Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
Winkleman, 53, and Daly, 56, announced last year they would be stepping down from the hit BBC series, with their successors yet to be confirmed.
Tonioli, 70, said he believes the programme works best with two women fronting it.
“I think it will be better for them to find two women to replace Tess and Claudia because what I liked is that you had these two women holding the show. It was empowering to watch and that's what Strictly should be,” he told the Mail.
“Having Tess and Claudia together on the show made it quite special.”
It comes after sources told The Sun a man, along with a female co-host, was being considered for the job - with names like Rylan Clark, Bradley Walsh and pro dancer Johannes Radebe reportedly being considered.
“The intention would be to team the chosen man up with a female,” a source told the paper.
“The show's executive producers feel Bradley has a similar style to Bruce — he can tell jokes, sing and has lots of charisma.
“Rylan has a massive fanbase and used to host Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, while Johannes offers expertise.”
The Standard has contacted the BBC for comment.
He also weighed in on the so-called “bloodbath” on the hit BBC show after several long-serving professional dancers were reportedly dropped ahead of the new series.
Speaking on the red carpet at the Kinky Boots gala on Sunday, Tonioli struck a pragmatic tone, insisting the long-running series would do “whatever” it takes to endure.
“It’s still the biggest show in the UK – they’ll do whatever they have to do to survive,” he told The Standard.
“The kids will do well, they’re very, very talented – I know them all. Things happen in life. I’d say to them: ‘Carry on, don’t give up, you’re great.’
“I haven’t been part of the show since 2019, so I’m not really qualified to say anything at all – but it’s showbusiness. The show must go on!”
