Ellie Taylor will take over as the new host of Strictly – It Takes Two this September. The comedian previously competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022.
The BBC announced Taylor as the new face of the popular dance show’s companion programme. She will lead a refreshed version of the magazine show this autumn. Taylor will replace Janette Manrara and Fleur East as the programme’s presenter. Manrara confirmed her departure from the show in June. Reports later indicated that East would also leave around the same period.
For Taylor, the new role marks an exciting return to the Strictly family. She previously competed on the main programme and understands the pressure contestants face. Taylor partnered with professional dancer Johannes Radebe during her time on Strictly. She left the competition during its eighth elimination in 2022.
Now, Ellie Taylor will return to the ballroom from a different position. Instead of competing for the trophy, she will guide viewers through the latest Strictly news. The comedian said she feels delighted to return to the programme in her new role. She also praised the presenters who helped make the spin-off popular.
Furthermore, Taylor promised plenty of gossip, costumes, and behind-the-scenes moments. She also joked about her dancing skills after her previous appearance on the show. The new series will also feature Strictly costume designer Vicky Gill. Her return adds another familiar name to the refreshed programme.
Meanwhile, the main Strictly Come Dancing series will undergo major changes this year. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe will present the main show. They will replace long-standing presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Both presenters announced their departures from Strictly late last year.
The BBC will also introduce five new professional dancers for the upcoming series. Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby, and Mark Karmalita will join the cast. As a result, viewers can expect several changes when Strictly returns this autumn. However, the programme will continue its familiar combination of celebrity contestants and professional dancers.
Several well-known names will compete in the new series. The lineup includes former Love Island winner Dani Dyer-Bowen. Actress Melanie Walters will also take part in the competition. Former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips will join the celebrity lineup.
Australian singer Delta Goodrem will also compete for the coveted Glitterball trophy. The remaining contestants will bring further variety to this year’s competition. The main Strictly series will return to BBC One and iPlayer in September. Meanwhile, Strictly – It Takes Two will return on BBC Two and iPlayer.
Ellie Taylor now faces the challenge of making the spin-off her own. Her previous Strictly experience could give her an advantage with contestants and professional dancers. Ellie Taylor also brings a strong comedy background to the role. That experience could help create a lighter atmosphere around the show’s backstage stories.
The refreshed programme will likely focus on interviews, performances, and behind-the-scenes developments. Fans can also expect plenty of discussion about the week’s biggest dance moments. With new presenters across both programmes, Strictly enters another significant period of change. Nevertheless, the BBC continues to build anticipation for the show’s September return.
For Ellie Taylor, the appointment offers an opportunity to reconnect with a programme she already knows well. This time, however, she will experience Strictly from the other side of the ballroom.
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