Anton Du Beke favourite to replace Bruce as Strictly host

After a decade hosting Strictly Come Dancing, Sir Bruce Forsyth has finally decided to hang up his disky bow and call it a day, which means the race to replace the 86-year-old in this year's series is on.

Bookmakers Paddy Power have already installed the BBC ballroom show regular Anton Du Beke as favourite to step into Sir Bruce's shoes and make him 7/4 to be the new co-host.

Graham Norton and John Barrowman are second favourites at 9/2 with Claudia Winkelman third favourite at 6/1. Meanwhile, Gethin Jones, Ronnie Corbett and Vernon Kaye (husband of current Strictly presenter Tess Daly) are all at 8/1.

Anyone who fancies an outsider to get the gig should look no further than former Strictly contestant Robbie Savage, who's currently rated by bookies at 66/1 to be the new Strictly host, while Russell Grant and John Sergeant - who have both taken to the dance floor with limited success in recent years - are 100/1 to get the nod.

 

Sean Marland

Sean is a Senior Feature writer for TV Times, What's On TV and TV & Satellite Week, who also writes for whattowatch.com. He's been covering the world of TV for over 15 years and in that time he's been lucky enough to interview stars like Ian McKellen, Tom Hardy and Kate Winslet. His favourite shows are I'm Alan Partridge, The Wire, People Just Do Nothing and Succession and in his spare time he enjoys drinking tea, doing crosswords and watching football.