Bruno Tonioli gives warning to Strictly Come Dancing bosses if female co-hosts are scrapped
Bruno Tonioli was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 until 2022.
Bruno Tonioli has warned that Strictly Come Dancing will not be "special" and "empowering" anymore if it scraps female co-hosts.
Rylan Clark, 37, Bradley Walsh, 65, and Roman Kemp, 33, lead the male names tipped to replace Tess Daly, 57, and Claudia Winkleman, 54, as co-presenters of the BBC Latin and Ballroom dance competition.
But former judge Bruno, 70, backs the likes of Zoe Ball, 55, Emma Willis, 50, and Miranda Hart, 53, in the female contention.
Bruno - who was a judge from 2004 until 2022 - told the Daily Mail newspaper's Eden Confidential column: "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. Having Tess and Claudia together on the show made it quite special."
Strictly Come Dancing bosses have been hunting for new co-hosts since the duo exited the programme at the end of the 2025 series in December.
And it has been reported that the BBC want to continue with an all-female presenting team - with one star being a "female stand-up comedian" - following the success of Tess and Claudia.
Emma and Zoe - who, in January, told The Sunday Times Style Magazine that she "would love" to host Strictly Come Dancing - have reportedly been in a "straight shoot-out" to replace Tess.
In February, a source told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "It’s a straight shoot-out between Zoe, who is the front-runner, and Emma. Only one will get it, not both.
"The senior execs want a traditional presenter working alongside a more left-field person, a female stand-up comedian.
"It’s felt the humour Claudia brought to the show, particularly in her 'Claudatorium', needs to carry on."
And on March 29, the publication reported that comedienne Miranda has had secret talks with Strictly Come Dancing bosses about replacing Claudia and working alongside a star, possibly Emma or Zoe - who quit her BBC Radio 2 Saturday show in December 2025, which caused speculation that she could be co-hosting the programme when it is expected to return in September.
Miranda would continue Claudia's funny chats with the stars and their professional dance partners on the balcony, where the couples relax after their performances.
A source told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "Miranda signing for Strictly would be a massive coup for the BBC.
"The feeling is that her style of comedy is very similar to Claudia’s sense of humour, making her a perfect replacement.
"She’s also one of very few people in the entertainment world who is widely known and recognised by just her first name.
"Bosses talked about Miranda working with the main presenters, but her job would be talking to the celebs, dancers and judges. They want someone who can bring a comedy element to the role.
"Miranda has been loyal to the BBC throughout her TV career."
Professional dancers Karen Hauer, 43, Gorka Marquez, 35, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk, both 36, and 30-year-old Michelle Tsiakkas have been axed from Strictly Come Dancing as part of the show’s big shake-up.
A BBC spokesperson said plans for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing will be announced "in due course".
