Emma Willis has received a glowing endorsement from former star of Celebrity Big Brother, Danielle Lloyd, after it was reported that the 50-year-old had bagged the role as new Strictly Come Dancing host.
Ms Willis fronted Big Brother during its stint on Channel 5 between 2013 and 2018 and has since gone on to land roles on ITV's The Voice and This Morning as well as Netflix's Love Is Blind UK.
Now, however, it appears the ballroom is calling, and Ms Willis has reportedly all but signed on the dotted line to confirm her role as host.
Speaking prior to news of her rumoured appointment, Ms Lloyd, who took part in Celebrity Big Brother back in 2007, was full of praise for the Birmingham-born presenter.
Emma Willis is believed to be one of the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts | GETTY"If it was two women, I think someone like Alison Hammond would be great. I’d absolutely love Alison Hammond," Ms Lloyd said when asked who she'd like to see as the new faces of Strictly.
"I think she’s so funny, and I think she’d be amazing on it, especially in the role that Claudia (Winkleman) used to do.
"Then if it was someone a little bit more serious, like Tess (Daly), I really like Emma Willis. They’d be great together.
"I really like Emma. She's such a nice person as well. Thinking about it, I just picked two Midlands girls!" Ms Lloyd added.
Danielle Lloyd has exclusively tipped Emma Willis to do well if she lands the Strictly gig
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Elsewhere, when speaking to GB News on behalf of Casino.org, Ms Lloyd explained whether or not she'd ever be up for a stint on the BBC dance competition herself.
"Oh, do you know what, I wouldn’t say no," she began. "But I’m not very… what’s the word? Not flexible, and my coordination’s not great, so I don’t know how good I’d actually be.
"I’d probably be out in the first week, but I’d definitely give it a go."
Reports of Ms Willis supposedly securing the role of Strictly host emerged in The Sun over the weekend, after the 50-year-old television presenter was said to have excelled during auditions for the coveted role.
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Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing in an October 2025 announcement | BBCA source told The Sun: "Emma has been offered the Strictly job and is going to accept.
"She absolutely nailed the chemistry tests, and the BBC adore her. Emma is a household name and a safe pair of hands, so the BBC knows she will do the job justice."
The insider added: "She's incredibly popular with the public too and will suit the role down to a tee.
"She was absolutely thrilled to have been offered the job. Strictly is one of the biggest shows on television, and to be trusted with the new era is something Emma feels incredibly proud and humbled by."
Emma Willis used to present Big Brother
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Zoe Ball, 55, had been anticipated to complete the presenting partnership, but has since ruled herself out of the running.
Discussing the Strictly role on this week's episode of her Dig It podcast opposite Jo Whiley, Ms Ball confirmed: "No, I didn't get it, but I tell you what, if it's who I think has got it, we're in safe hands and our new hosts are going to be fabulous.
"I'm so thrilled for them, and hopefully at a later date, we'll be able to talk about them in more detail."
"I don't want to be the one to say the wrong thing, but I was so chuffed to even be in the mix. There were some pretty amazing people who didn't even make it into the mix.
Danielle Lloyd entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2007
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"So I made it in the mix, and I had a really fun time having one last little play at a show that I love and adore. And I'm so thrilled for the gang that has got it.
"I think there's been so many eyes on this whole process, everyone's quite relieved now that a decision has been made and the right decision has been made."
A BBC spokesperson told GB News: "Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course."
Ms Willis' rumoured appointment comes after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's departures after fronting the programme together for 11 years, with their final show airing in December 2025.