EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: BBC 'secretly lines up Holly for Strictly job'

BBC 'secretly lines up Holly for Strictly job'

Former BBC One Controller Peter Fincham suggests that former This Morning star Holly Willoughby may be poised to host Strictly Come Dancing after Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announced their departure at the end of the current series.

Fincham described Holly as the former "golden girl" of ITV who might now become the BBC’s leading face of Saturday night television.

Rumors from an unusual source

Fincham shared that the news came from an unexpected place — a conversation in his hair salon.

"My hairdresser also cuts the hair of a well-known channel controller," Fincham said. "What’s said in Harry’s the hairdresser stays in Harry’s. But he says with great confidence that Holly Willoughby will take over."

Career comeback for Holly Willoughby

If these rumors prove true, it would mark a major return for Willoughby, 44, who stepped away from This Morning in 2023 after 14 years, amid intense public attention.

Her exit followed a turbulent period at ITV that saw her co-presenter Phillip Schofield resign after admitting to an affair with a younger colleague and misleading both ITV management and associates about it.

Since leaving ITV, Willoughby has appeared on Netflix as co-host of Celebrity Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls, although the show was not renewed for a second season.

Author’s Summary

Holly Willoughby is rumored to be in talks with the BBC to host Strictly Come Dancing, signaling a possible major return to prime-time TV after her 2023 ITV departure.

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Daily Mail Daily Mail — 2025-11-04

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