The Strictly Come Dancing ballroom is in chaos tonight after the BBC sparked frenzy by hinting at a glittering new era – with fan-favourite Rylan Clark rocketing to the top of the betting odds as the shock new host following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s tear-jerking farewell.

Insiders tell Daily Mail that the former X Factor star and It Takes Two legend, 37, has surged ahead in the race to fill the massive sequinned shoes left by the iconic duo, who bowed out after the emotional 2025 final and Christmas special just days ago.

But the drama doesn’t stop there – comedy king Alan Carr, previously tipped as the BBC’s golden boy for the role, has reportedly pulled out in a devastating blow over tour clashes, leaving bosses ‘gutted’ and paving the way for Rylan’s dramatic rise.

Fans are in meltdown, with social media ablaze: ‘Rylan on Strictly main show? YES PLEASE!’ one screamed, while another wailed: ‘No one can replace Tess and Claud – but if anyone can bring the sparkle, it’s Rylan!’

The bombshell comes after Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, stunned the nation in October by announcing they were quitting together after 21 glittering years – Tess since the very first series in 2004 alongside Sir Bruce Forsyth, and Claudia joining full-time in 2014 to form TV’s first all-female prime-time duo.

Their final Christmas Day special saw tears, tributes – even a message from superfan Queen Camilla calling them ‘utterly fab-u-lous’ – as the pair embraced on the dancefloor one last time, signing off with their signature ‘Keeeeep dancing!’

Now, with the glitterball barely cooled from Karen Carney and Carlos Gu’s victory, the hunt for 2026 hosts has gone into overdrive.

Sources dish that BBC execs are planning ‘top-secret chemistry tests’ in January for a shortlist of ten big names – but Alan Carr’s shock withdrawal has flipped the script.

The Chatty Man star, fresh off his Traitors triumph, was reportedly the frontrunner until his massive 2027 stand-up tour – with 90 dates clashing directly with Strictly’s autumn live shows – forced him to step aside.

‘Bosses are gutted,’ an insider spilled. ‘Alan was their dream – funny, warm, massive ratings pull. But the dates can’t move, so he had to choose. Now all eyes are on Rylan.’

The Essex charmer, who hosted It Takes Two from 2019 to 2022, has long been a Strictly family favourite – and his cheeky personality, Eurovision flair and Radio 2 slot make him a ‘safe but exciting’ bet.

He’s already tipped for a duo pairing – possibly with Zoe Ball, who quit her Radio 2 breakfast show this month, fuelling rumours she’s clearing the decks for Strictly.

Other names in the mix? Bradley Walsh, Alex Jones, Rob Rinder (teaming with Rylan after their Grand Tour hit), Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond, Fleur East and Janette Manrara.

But bookies have slashed odds on Rylan after Carr’s exit, with one insider whispering: ‘It’ll come down to chemistry tests – but Rylan’s got the sparkle.’

Fans are divided: ‘Rylan would be brilliant – he knows the show inside out!’ one cheered. But others mourn: ‘Tess and Claud were irreplaceable. Why did they leave so suddenly?’

The duo insisted it was simply ‘the right time’, but whispers of backstage fatigue after the 2024 scandals – Giovanni Pernice probe, Graziano di Prima sacking – linger.

Claudia’s already bagged her own chat show for spring 2026, while Tess eyes family time.

As the ballroom braces for its biggest shake-up ever, one question remains: Can anyone truly fill those fab-u-lous shoes?

Or will Rylan’s cheeky grin light up Elstree and win over the nation?

Strictly 2026: It’s going to be unmissable…