Devotees of the beloved BBC series 'Strictly Come Dancing' were surprised this week by the announcement that long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will conclude their tenure at the end of the current series. Daly, a staple of the programme since its inception in 2004, and Winkleman, who joined as a full-time presenter in 2014, are paving the way for new faces to helm the show for the first time in over two decades. A range of high-profile personalities have been suggested as potential successors, including former 'Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two' hosts Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark, alongside popular presenters like Bradley Walsh, Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond, and Roman Kemp.

Among the top contenders, former Lionesses star Alex Scott is heavily rumoured, with bookmakers offering 4/1 odds that she will step into either Daly or Winkleman's shoes. The 41-year-old, who boasts an impressive 140 caps for England during her illustrious football career, previously graced the 'Strictly' dance floor in 2019. Partnered with professional dancer Neil Jones, she became the first female footballer to participate in the show, reaching the quarter-finals and ultimately finishing fifth, in a series where Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher famously won the glitterball trophy.

Beyond her 'Strictly' appearance and significant footballing achievements, which include 150 appearances for Arsenal, spells with Birmingham City and the Boston Breakers, and representing Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics, Scott has successfully transitioned into a thriving media career since retiring from football in 2018. Her rise has been notable, breaking ground as the BBC's first female World Cup pundit in 2018. She has since gone on to front prominent shows such as 'Football Focus,' 'Match of the Day,' and 'The One Show,' in addition to hosting the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

Scott's role on 'Football Focus' notably led to a 'heated' public exchange with her predecessor, Dan Walker, in 2023. After reports surfaced about a decline in viewing figures for the Saturday lunchtime programme under Scott's leadership, Walker, who presented the show from 2009 to 2021, voiced his concerns on social media. Scott responded with a 'challenging' GIF, which prompted Walker to clarify his comments, acknowledging the competitive nature of the market. Scott subsequently highlighted the show's achievements by posting an image of its 'Television Show of the Year' award from the previous year's Sports Journalism Awards, promoting upcoming interviews. This online dispute reportedly continued at a charity function weeks later but was ultimately resolved amicably with the pair allegedly 'hugging it out.'

In addition to her potential 'Strictly' role, Alex Scott is also reportedly considering another major television commitment. Sources suggest she has been in discussions to appear on 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' mirroring her former England colleague and past 'Queen of the Jungle,' Jill Scott. Speculated fellow contestants for this year's series include model and actress Kelly Brook and rapper Aitch.