Ellie Taylor Seen Amid Reports She Will Host 'Strictly It Takes Two'

Comedian Ellie Taylor has been photographed for the first time since reports emerged that she is slated to become the new host of the BBC's "Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two." Taylor, 42, was seen arriving at a BBC radio studio in London on Saturday, a day when the United Kingdom experienced warm weather.

Taylor, known for her role in "Ted Lasso," was seen wearing denim shorts, a white striped shirt, and ballet pumps. She accessorized with oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses and a gold chain. The outing comes amid speculation that she will replace Fleur East and Janette Manrara as the host of the "Strictly" spin-off. This potential career move follows a significant revamp of the "Strictly" franchise.

Earlier in the month, reports indicated that Taylor would take over the hosting duties for "It Takes Two." A source told The Sun that Taylor, who competed on "Strictly" in 2022, was popular with viewers and the production team. The source suggested that while she was considered for the main show's hosting roles, the "It Takes Two" position was seen as a better fit for her and the show's need for a revamp. The BBC and a representative for Taylor have been contacted for comment.

The "Strictly Come Dancing" franchise is undergoing broader changes. The main presenting roles, previously held by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, are reportedly being taken over by Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe. Additionally, the show is introducing five new professional dancers for its upcoming September series: Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby, and Mark Karmalita. These new dancers will join returning professionals including Alexis Warr, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystal, Julian Caillon, Kai Widdrington, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, and Vito Coppola.

The casting changes have also seen several professional dancers depart. Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, and Gorka Marquez are among those reportedly no longer part of the lineup. Reports suggest that dancers with larger social media followings are being prioritized to attract a younger audience, with examples cited including Bychkova and Hauer having fewer followers than retained dancers like Dianne Buswell and newcomer Alexis Warr.