Fleur East reacts to new Strictly: It Takes Two host as replacement is revealed

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Fleur East has given her verdict on the new host of Strictly Come Dancing’s popular spin-off show, It Takes Two. It was announced today that the sister show would be returning, but this time with a brand-new host – comedian Ellie Taylor. The shake-up comes after Fleur, 38, and Janette Manrara, 42, were both axed as presenters, with the latter emotionally confirming she’s ‘no longer a part’ of the show. Executives had reportedly slated the show, which airs on BBC Two during the week after the main programme on BBC One, as ‘boring’. Ellie, 42, is set to host new episodes every weeknight, giving all the behind-the-scenes details on the popular dancing competition. Get personalised updates on Strictly Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Following weeks of rumours that she’d be taking on the job, she posted a video message this morning, with predecessor Fleur commenting underneath to offer her support. Fleur East has wished her replacement well in hosting Strictly: It Takes Two (Picture: BBC) She previously co-hosted alongside Janette Manrara (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston) ‘You will be amazing!! Congratulations 🙌❤️❤️’, wrote the former presenter, seemingly suggesting she’s all good with moving on. ‘Thanks so much Fleur ❤️ if I can do it half as well as you, I’ll be absolutely buzzing. So much love xxx’, Ellie replied. She was also congratulated by Zoe Ball, who hosted It Takes Two from 2011 to 2021, and had been in the running to host the main show. Zoe wrote, ‘best job ever ENJOY Ellie 🪩💃🏻’, with Ellie responding, ‘Thanks so much Zoe! ❤️What an honour to follow in your footsteps!! I can’t wait!!’ The likes of Shirley Ballas, Rylan Clark, Angela Scanlon, Clara Amfo, and Dianne Buswell sent well-wishes, too. Janette has not yet spoken out about her replacement but has made it known she was gutted to be leaving. Ellie Taylor has been announced as the It Takes Two host for 2026 following rumours (Picture: Karla Gowlett) In a message shared in June, she acknowledged that Strictly has ‘changed hugely’. ‘I’ll still be involved in other ways. But that just means that I’m free to pursue and do many other projects that I’ve always wanted to do and never really thought about doing,’ she added. ‘Strictly is all I’ve known for the past 14 years, so it is a bit like, “Oh, we’re going into a different world, a different space, how are we going to navigate that?”‘ Ellie, meanwhile, is no stranger to the ballroom, as she appeared on Strictly in 2022 alongside pro dancer Johannes Radebe and finished in seventh place. The former Strictly competitor said of her new venture: ‘What a total joy to return to Strictly in this new role. I feel incredibly honoured to follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal line-up of hosts who’ve made Strictly: It Takes Two so loved over the years. ‘I can’t wait to immerse myself in all the gossip and sequins flying out of the ballroom in order to bring my fellow Strictly fans everything they need to know. I’m so excited, I could cha cha! (But I won’t – don’t worry… no one needs to see that again).’ The comedian appeared on the 2022 series of Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: PA) A source previously told The Sun: ‘Ellie was hugely popular with viewers when she appeared as a contestant on Strictly in 2022, and her infectious personality was also a hit with the senior production team.’ Turns out those rumours were completely true, so Ellie will join new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and her ex-dance partner Johannes for the next series. Helen Munson, BBC Commissioning Editor, added of the change: ‘We’d like to say a huge thank you to the brilliant Janette Manrara and Fleur East, who’ve been a massive part of It Takes Two’s continued success over the years. ‘It Takes Two is a joy to make, and we’re so proud to have it on the BBC every autumn. As we embark on what will be an incredibly exciting new series of Strictly, we can’t wait to be there every step of the way.’ Rhe-an Archibald, Strictly: It Takes Two Executive Producer, also said: ‘This is Strictly: It Takes Two, reinvented for the 2026 season. With a wealth of new features and deep dives, we want to reflect the conversations happening in living rooms up and down the country – full of opinions, laughs, surprises and those moments everyone wants to talk about. ‘With the fun and funny Ellie at the helm, it will be an utterly unmissable companion to Strictly Come Dancing.’ Strictly Come Dancing 2026 full line-up Lacey Turner Dani Dyer Delta Goodrem Chris Appleton Cach Mercer Will Best Dame Sarah Storey Jaime Winstone Bethany Antonia Shaun Wright-Phillips Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall Lawrence Robb Tabby Stoecker John Nellis Melanie Walters It Takes Two has been a staple of the show since it launched in 2004, with Claudia Winkleman originally helming it before she became a co-host of the main series alongside Tess Daly. As for the cast of 2026, Strictly’s line-up is now complete, with contestants including EastEnders star Lacey Turner, Gavin & Stacey actress Melanie Walter, Big Brother host Will Best, and Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey. They’ll join Dani Dyer, who returns after an injury forced her out early last series, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Jaime Winstone, and more. Strictly Come Dancing and It Takes Two return in September on BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC iPlayer. Deals of the Day Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? 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