True that may be a good possibility

I was going to say that, good job I read through the thread first and noticed you had beaten me to it. I also think Gabby Logan would be good, but that would come back to two females again and also she has been presenting Splash.

Having said that I am happy with Tess and Claudia.

I don't think Graham Norton would - he's way bright enough to recognise a fine mind when he meets one.


And mine too - being able to luxuriate in watching the show in its entirety without having to mute Bruce Forsyth is an ineffable relief. I think Tess is doing an admirable holding job, and I would hate to see her sidelined altogether. She's part of the wallpaper - but so is Claudia.

However, I do think the BBC will need to look at ways of maintaining their pre-eminence in this Saturday night prime time slot, and will need to ship in one of the really big guns to do it. SCD can't go on forever and it will need someone as big as Graham Norton to ensure its longevity at least into the middle distance - if not beyond. I don't think Tess can do that.

That would be my dream team. Both can be funny and both are comfortable off script. Very important in a live show.

Yay! We might not agree about Aliona, but we're in agreement about this!

I agree Matt Baker would not be suited to the show, he is a good presenter but he lacks the ability to express a sense of zany fun, which is needed I think. Brian Connolly or Bradley Walsh would have that in droves though.

Excellent points - I think they should bring in a name - and I don't think anybody could shut Claudia down, she's too natural and sui generis - the real Claud would come through no matter what lout came along, though Graham seems very sweet to me.

I'd love Russell but feel pretty sure he'd find a way to misbehave before long - don't think he can be tamed

But loads of people come to mind - Alan Carr, Julian Clary, Ricky Gervais, Paul O'Grady (not sure of his health though), maybe Jimmy Carr if he's a big enough name - and oh I'd love Hugh Laurie - just as long as they keep Claudia, I'll be happy. And I can cope with Tess but she's over her head - you probably need a stand-up comic or a host who's proven they can react in the moment w/quick wit. And that ain't Tess.

Unlike the ancient Greeks...

But then, remember that most of Shakespeare's comedies are built around misunderstandings that could have been avoided... with Smilieeees!

BIB - in total agreement with that.

In his day, Bruce Forsyth was more than capable of fulfilling that role, although I'd argue that he was just very slightly past it by the time he took up the SCD reins. However, I think he was absolutely right for the job in the earlier years.

He'd probably prompt howls of dismay, but personal preferences aside, Rob Brydon could do the job - he's exceptionally quick on his feet, metaphorically speaking. He'd bounce off Claudia well, as would Lee Mack who for me at least brought out the best in Miranda Kerr in 'Not Going Out' (far better than she will ever be going solo. IMO!). I think Jimmy Carr is still a little too near the knuckle, as Graham Norton was a few years back.

Agree with those who would enjoy a Graham Norton/Claudia combo. They were great together presenting that Eurovision Dance thingy. All that said, I have no issues with the Tess/Claudia combo at present. It's a much sleeker show without the legend himself imo.

No wonder few British males like to dance at weddings - or rely on a dad dance.

Males associated with SCD are expected to be or dress or dance camp. And the Rumba camps it all.

I am glad Jake is not showing his feminine side and dancing like a bloke and avoiding the touchy feely stuff.

[ETA: Not a personal criticism of course ChChCh Just reflecting on dance being seen as "camp" in Britain. ]

Splendid idea - I would absolutely love it to be Graham and Claudia. I do really like Bradley Walsh though, I think he too could carry it off well.

You must be joking, just about every one of those names would be a complete switch off (as they are whenever I see any them). The exception being Hugh Laurie but I don't think he would fit in and can't see him being interested in doing the programme.

I'm honestly baffled it bothers people so much, the show's budgets seem to have been increased thanks to Brucie's departure, there's a lot of good dancing on show and Tess and Claudia are absolutely fine. The problem is who do you replace two (incredibly experienced, no matter what some people might think) presenters with, Graham Norton is the obvious one but he doesn't want to do it, Anton is a dire presenter, the beeb tried that avenue by giving him some low key stuff and it didn't work, and all the other 'replacement' names for one reason or another would be alienate some people. Tess and Claudia have grown into the show, are a safe pair of hands and are doing a sterling job of keeping everything moving along, I've heard from all the judges, had no terrible rambling jokes, and Claudia is truly excellent at running the Tesspit with the right amount of warmth and wit. There's nobody out there who gets the show as well as they do and that's why they were hired imo

Claudia does various other programmes but I don't think Tess Daly does much other regular work, presumably by choice because I am sure she gets offers. Some of the other names suggested are likely to have clashes with other work and perhaps only last one or two series because other offers come along. Gives continuity to the series to have the same lead presenter.

If I was Tess and read what's been said, I'd be going into a deep depression. She's only been doing the job for three weeks and she's doing fine. And of course, you were all absolutely excellent at your new job within three weeks.

Claudia has livened up the after dance interview and allowed the performers to chat and relax. She might not be everyone's cup of tea, but she's different and also doing fine.

I can't understand the obsession that there must be a man fronting the show. Why? Presumably those who want Tess replaced have a thing about women being in charge of anything. "Just shut up dear and leave the important things to the men". Grrrrrrr.

There must be an entertainer. Why? The show isn't about the presenter - it's about celebs learning to dance and judges (hopefully) giving constructive criticism about what they do.

It's isn't a vehicle for someone to try to make the show his own, to pollute it with unfunny "jokes, to take up time which could be usefully be used to hear what ALL the judges have to say, to disagree with the judges, to have an ego bigger than S Paul's Cathedral.

On Tess's behalf I'm really offended by this desire to replace her without giving her a chance to prove her worth, and with the opinion that a woman could never be as good as a man in the job. So old-fashioned, so sexist and so not 21st century.

Sadly I can't see it happening. We can live in hope though.

Tess is useless, they need to show some balls and get rid of her next year.

At the very least they should swap her and Claudia.

It took 11 series to get rid of the previous useless presenter. And why should they shows some balls (that's another male chauvinistic observation) - why not some boobs?

I get what you mean. I don't see ballroom dancing as camp but undeniably Strictly is a camp show and I think Graham would fit right in and be able to ad-lib. I wonder if, when he said doing Strictly would be too much like hard work, he meant appearing as a celeb on the show or actually presenting it? What about Rob Brydon? He could certainly ad-lib.

Rob Brydon would be worse than the previous presenter. If you watch him on other shows, you'll see that if he doesn't think he's getting enough camera time he makes sure all the attention is on him - a repeat of the old codger from previous series.

Graham Norton, yes, but Claudia - I have an allergic reaction whenever I see her on TV ........ stand up straight woman, act your age, stop squinting at the autocue. Better on Radio where her mannerisms don't obliterate her wit.
As for Tess .......... where to start?
How about Chris Hollins? A proper presenter who knows the score and can work "live."

I think all threads show is that whoever presented there would be people not happy.

Tess, for me as a presenter, is fine. She introduces the dancers, gets them from point a to point b and sends them off to the kiss and cry with a round of applause. Job done.

Speaking from the experience of 10 or so years of ignoring the presenter, it can be done without ruining the show. In fact, not ignorning the presenter actually makes the programme longer to watch

l like Tess and Claudia and think they work well together. When Brucie presented it people didn't like him now he's gone people still are moaning. Whoever presents, some people will and some people won't like them. It's a personal choice. Some of the ideas for presenters on here may be good but until we see them presenting we'll never know. Leave Tess and Claudia alone and give them a chance. It's still early days.

Graham Norton?

No thanks!

The BBC would probably cut a drama series to be able to pay him.
TV isn't all about Strictly.
Things are fine with it as they are.