Miranda Hart, the beloved British comedian and actress, is reportedly in confidential talks with BBC executives to step into a key presenting role on the next series of Strictly Come Dancing, according to multiple sources cited by The Sun and GB News. The discussions come after the shock departure of long-standing hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who announced their exit at the end of the 2025 season, leaving fans and producers alike scrambling for replacements in what’s being described as a major shake-up for the iconic dance competition.
Insiders say Hart is being considered for the role known as the "Clauditorium" presenter—a position made famous by Winkleman, where the host chats with contestants, professional dancers, and judges in the balcony area after each performance. According to a source quoted by The Sun, “Miranda signing for Strictly would be a massive coup for the BBC. The feeling is that her style of comedy is very similar to Claudia’s sense of humour, making her a perfect replacement.”
BBC bosses reportedly believe Hart’s warm, offbeat comedic approach is just what’s needed to help put nervous contestants at ease, much as Winkleman did in her tenure. As the BBC faces a period of transition—following not only the exit of its beloved hosts but also a so-called ‘bloodbath’ of professional dancers axed from the line-up—executives are keen to inject new energy and levity into the show. “They want someone who can bring a comedy element to the role,” a source added, noting that Hart’s job would focus on talking to the celebrities, dancers, and judges, rather than co-hosting the main proceedings.
Hart’s connection to Strictly Come Dancing isn’t just professional—it’s personal. During the 2024 series, she was a regular fixture in the studio audience, there to support her long-time friend Sarah Hadland, who was paired with professional dancer Vito Coppola. Coppola confirmed Hart’s close involvement, telling The Sun, “Miranda has been with us since day one. It is me, Sarah and Miranda.” Hadland echoed this, telling the newspaper, “Miranda messages me most days about my experience and she is loving it. She said she feels like she is sort of doing it through me.”
Hart even got in on the fun during the show’s Icons Week, filming a light-hearted segment in which she joked, “I’m here at Sarah and Vito’s training room and like all great choreographers, I’m wearing a black turtleneck and carrying a small dog with me.” These moments, fans say, showcase the very humour and warmth that could make her a natural fit for the Clauditorium role.
While Hart is no stranger to the limelight, she’s been open about her preference for a quieter life in recent years. Her 2024 autobiography, I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You, details her struggle with chronic fatigue following a Lyme disease diagnosis in 2020—a condition she unknowingly carried since she was 15. In her own words: “I couldn’t work because I became ill. I tried to keep going before the diagnosis and it didn’t go well… I was so unwell, but I hated having to stop.” The book also reveals a shift in her priorities, as she writes, “I just wake up and think ‘right, what am I going to do today?’ It’s walking the dog, it’s playing games with my husband, watching telly and doing a bit of writing. I find life much ‘free-er’ and happier, because of that. It is a very simple life, which I love.”
Despite her retreat from the relentless pace of showbiz, Hart has remained a household name. Her self-titled sitcom Miranda, which ran from 2009 to 2015, propelled her to national stardom and remains a touchstone in British television comedy. She marked the show’s 10th anniversary in January 2020 with the celebratory special Miranda: My Such Fun Celebration, reflecting on a career that began in 2001 with appearances in cult favourites like Smack The Pony. She also won hearts as Camilla “Chummy” Fortescue-Cholmeley-Browne in the first four series of Call The Midwife.
Last August, Hart playfully teased fans on Instagram about possibly joining Strictly as a contestant, only to clarify, “The menopausal mounds in this body is not ready for any sort of dancefloor let alone on national television.” It was a classic Miranda moment—self-deprecating, honest, and endearing.
The search for new presenters is part of a broader effort by BBC bosses to refresh the show’s format. According to Mirror Celebs, the network is seeking three new presenters for the 2026 series. While the Clauditorium role is widely expected to go to a female comedian—Hart now a frontrunner—the main male hosting position is said to be hotly contested. Among those in the running are Bradley Walsh (praised for a style reminiscent of the late Bruce Forsyth), Rylan Clark (who previously hosted the Strictly spin-off It Takes Two and boasts a massive fanbase), and professional dancer Johannes Radebe, whose expertise could bring a fresh perspective to the hosting duties.
Other names reportedly considered for presenting roles include Zoe Ball, Emma Willis, and Mel Giedroyc—each bringing their own unique blend of charisma and experience to the table. The intention, sources say, is to pair a new male host with a female favourite, returning to a format that harks back to the days when Tess Daly co-hosted alongside Bruce Forsyth—a pairing that proved hugely popular with audiences.
With so much change afoot, fans are watching closely to see how the BBC will navigate the transition. A spokesperson for the broadcaster told GB News, “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.” Until then, speculation continues to swirl, with Hart’s name at the centre of the conversation.
For now, the prospect of Miranda Hart bringing her signature wit and warmth to the Clauditorium is generating plenty of excitement—and perhaps a bit of relief—among fans eager for continuity after such a seismic shake-up. As the BBC prepares to unveil its new line-up, the stage is set for a new chapter in one of Britain’s most cherished television traditions.