Strictly presenter auditions revealed: ‘Nine stars make up final shortlist as they are set to battle it out in dress rehearsal with judging panel’

BBC bosses are said to be holding Strictly Come Dancing presenting auditions this week, with nine stars competing.

After former presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly left the popular series last year, the BBC is looking for a new presenting team to breathe new life into the series.

Now, nine shortlisted stars are gearing up to go head-to-head as they have been summoned to a top-secret location in London to compete in full-scale dress rehearsals with a panel of judges and live band.

BBC bosses will hold secret auditions and chemistry tests with huge celebrities from Monday to Friday and force the stars to sign strict confidentiality agreements to keep the auditions secret.

A source told Sun: ‘This isn’t just about reading automatic reading. They will look at how people work together and humor is a big part of that. There’s everything to play for.’

The select few called for the final test will be closely monitored and bosses hope to make a decision soon.

After presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly left the series last year, the BBC is looking for a new presenting team that will breathe new life into the series; pictured Angela Scanlon

Those confirmed to feature include Rylan Clark, Emma Willis, Tom Allen, podcast host Angela Scanlon and One Show host Alex Jones.

Other stars called to audition include This Morning presenter Alison Hammond, The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh, RuPaul’s Drag Race star La Voix and Radio 2’s Zoe Ball.

A source said: ‘They really want to bring the fun this year. It’s all about the chemistry that clicks instantly and can keep the energy live.

‘They can stick to two female presenters because it works wonderfully. But they are also open to mixing.

‘If Rylan and Tom Allen are compatible, this could be a hilarious pairing. Likewise, they might even introduce a third presenter to shake things up.’

Bosses are believed to be testing a number of combinations and nothing is off the table.

The Daily Mail has contacted BBC representatives for comment.

It comes as Claudia revealed she plans to watch this year’s Strictly Come Dancing with Tess.

The pair stepped down from hosting the BBC dance show last year and speculation was rife as to who would replace them.

But although Claudia, 54, and Tess, 57, will not be appearing on the show, the Traitors host revealed they plan to watch the Strictly launch together when it returns later this year.

To talk MirrorClaudia said: ‘Tess and I have already planned…we’ll have jacket potatoes, I’ll have salmon.

‘She and Vern (her husband) are coming to ours Vernon Kay), I’m not kidding.’

He added: ‘I’ll set him up for a night out and we’ll watch him, support him and love him.’

Eight shortlisted stars will go head-to-head as they are summoned to a top secret location in London to compete in full dress rehearsals with a panel of judges and live band (Rylan Clark and Alison Hammond pictured)

BBC bosses will hold secret auditions and chemistry tests with huge celebrities from Monday to Friday and force the stars to sign strict confidentiality agreements to keep the auditions secret.

Earlier this week Alison backed down in rejecting Definitely The job of hosting Bride Dancing – she insists she would be ‘crazy’ to turn down the opportunity.

51-year-old Alison, star of This Morning and The Great British Bake Off, was among the names that were rumored to participate in the program for a long time.

He had previously walked away from the coveted job, saying he was busy with current TV projects.

Alison told the Radio Times: ‘I’m so busy babe I’m not sure it’s going to happen. This is unrealistic.

‘I would love to do this; Anyone who achieves this will find the perfect job. But I’m very happy with everything I have. What would I definitely give up to do?’

But in a new interview, Alison clarified her stance on taking over the ballroom.

To talk MetroHe explained: ‘Do you think I’d turn down Strictly if it came?

‘Who would surely turn it down! They’d be absolutely insane.’

Alison continued: ‘I was trying to block them because eventually everyone keeps mixing up my name and they ruin my chances of even getting the job. Absolutely, you know what I mean? ‘You all need to stop talking about this because I need to go in.’

He concluded: ‘I’m not too busy, I’m fitter than I’ve ever been before.

I definitely can. I can do it all. All these people say: “I’m too busy and I can’t do this…” I totally can. Let’s get this on the record.’

Elsewhere, Bradley Walsh has been ushered in as the new host of Strictly Come Dancing.

Last week, it was reported that filming on The Chase had been halted for ‘at least a year’.

Bradley, 65, who has presented the show since 2009, is said to be one of producers’ favorites to join the BBC dance show.

But television insiders think the presenter could face a major dilemma as he is the face of another big Saturday night show, Gladiators.

Bradley and his son Barney, 28, brought the nineties remake back in 2024 and the series instantly broke ratings records.

It includes three series so far, two celebrity versions and a CBBC spin-off; Many of the Gladiators appear in a number of TV shows including Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Sewing Bee.

If Bradley is to get the Strictly job, he may have to step away from Gladiators, which helped launch his son’s presenting career.