Rylan Clark hilariously reacts to losing out on Strictly host job
Rylan Clark was one of many celebrities who lost out to Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe on landing the hotly contested Strictly Come Dancing presenter job.
Rylan Clark has joked about his heartbreak at losing out on the prestigious Strictly Come Dancing presenter job to Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe.
On Tuesday (19.05.26), the BBC confirmed that the trio is presiding over the Latin and Ballroom dance show when it returns in September, following the departures of Tess Daly, 57, and Claudia Winkleman, 54, at the end of the 2025 series in December.
Rylan - who previously worked with Emma, 50, on Big Brother - was one of many celebrities who auditioned for the hotly contested gig during auditions last month, but he was unsuccessful.
After the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts were announced, Rylan, 37, summed up his disappointment by sharing the iconic moment he broke down in tears when Nicole Scherzinger, 47, sent him through to the live shows of The X Factor in 2012.
The clip was accompanied by a statement, which read: "Just wanted to say, as it was reported I was in 'The Race' for Strictly.
"The biggest congrats to my Emma and equal congrats to Johannes and Josh. You're all going to have the best time. Made up for you's.
"This wasn't my time, sadly, but am extremely grateful to even have been considered. I'm taking the news really well (see [video]) but genuinely looking forward to the new series with you three x (sic)."
Rylan - who previously co-hosted Strictly Come Dancing's weekday companion programme, It Takes Two - did chemistry tests with the likes of Zoe Ball, 55, Angela Scanlon, 42, and 51-year-old Sara Cox.
And the latter, who is the new face of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show following 53-year-old Scott Mills' sudden sacking in March, lifted the lid on the Strictly Come Dancing audition process hours after Emma, Josh, 43, and 39-year-old Johannes' signings were confirmed.
Sara shared on her Tuesday BBC Radio 2 Teatime programme: "I tried out for Strictly. And I will say I tried out for it two days after I got offered my number one, all-time, dream job of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
"So I was like, 'Oh, I'll go along and try for Strictly as well, why not, and what next? News at Ten?'
"So I went along, and it was the most gorgeous experience. I got into a car that was taking me to a secret destination.
"It was all hush-hush, and it was basically a bit like, you know, when you can go and play the Crystal Maze interactive game? It was like that. I was like, 'Great, I'm going to be a Strictly presenter for an hour!'
"The whole thing was really great fun."
Sara congratulated Emma, Josh, and Johannes for coming out on top in the auditions, and she is relieved that their signing was announced on Tuesday, following months of speculation.
Sara added: "I'm pleased now for all the gossip, and all the WhatsApp groups can calm the heck down, going, 'Who is it?'"
Earlier this month, Zoe Ball - who previously hosted It Takes Two - admitted she had "worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection" after not coming out on top in the audition.
