Following his triumphant victory on Celebrity Traitors, Alan Carr has emerged as the clear favourite among Strictly Come Dancing viewers to step into Claudia Winkleman's shoes as co-host of the beloved BBC dancing competition.
Public Poll Reveals Strong Support for Chatty Man Star
With the BBC yet to officially announce who will replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly for the upcoming series, a new survey has uncovered the nation's preferred choice. Betfair Casino conducted research among 2,000 British adults, asking which celebrity they would most like to see hosting Strictly Come Dancing in 2026.
Alan Carr Leads by Significant Margin
The results placed Alan Carr firmly at the top of the list, with the comedian and inaugural Celebrity Traitors champion securing an impressive 19% of the vote. This positions him well ahead of other fan favourites, demonstrating strong public backing for his potential appointment.
This Morning presenter Dermot O'Leary emerged as the second-most popular choice, garnering 13% support. He was closely followed by Alison Hammond and Anton Du Beke, who both received 10% of the vote each.
Complete Ranking of Public Preferences
The survey revealed a comprehensive list of celebrities that viewers would welcome as the new face of the ballroom:
- Alan Carr - 19%
- Dermot O'Leary - 13%
- Alison Hammond - 10%
- Anton Du Beke - 10%
- Hannah Waddingham - 9%
- Holly Willoughby - 8%
- Zoe Ball - 6%
- Stacey Dooley - 6%
- Fleur East - 5%
- Sara Cox - 5%
Other notable names receiving public support included Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, who rounded out the top five with 9% of the vote. The list demonstrates the diverse range of television personalities that viewers believe could successfully helm the popular Saturday night entertainment show.
Timing Coincides with Hosting Vacancy
The survey comes at a crucial moment for the BBC, as the corporation prepares to announce new presenting talent for one of its flagship entertainment programmes. With Claudia Winkleman's departure creating a significant vacancy, public opinion appears strongly in favour of Alan Carr taking on the role.
His recent success on Celebrity Traitors has undoubtedly boosted his profile and demonstrated his ability to engage audiences in a competitive entertainment format. This experience, combined with his established television career, makes him a compelling candidate according to the survey respondents.
The results provide interesting insight into viewer preferences as the BBC considers its options for the future of Strictly Come Dancing's presenting team.
