11:54AM, Mar 23, 2009
There are lots of presenter rumours quickstepping around TV Towers today.
First up is twinkle-toed Alesha Dixon who’s believed to be stepping into Tess Daley’s dancing shoes.
Pregnant Tess will be on maternity leave this year, leaving a side-kick shaped hole by Brucie's side. Beeb bosses hope that Alesha, who won the show in 2007, will give the competition some cool credibility.
A BBC source told The Mirror: "Alesha is one of Strictly’s most popular winners and very much part of the Strictly family.
"Bosses hope that she will help give the show a bit of a shake-up alongside Bruce Forsyth. They have been keen for her to have a role on the show for some time but so far have struggled to find an opportunity to bring her in. But Tess’s pregnancy is the perfect opening."
Our BBC source claimed it was too early to say but refused to deny that Alesha will take on the role.
Meanwhile, over at ITV, Claudia Winkleman is stepping off the dance floor and onto the hot plate.
She’ll replace moody Angus Deayton on Hell’s Kitchen.
As we reported last month, Angus was axed from the show after one too many clashes with Marco Pierre White. Claudia, fresh from presenting Let’s Dance For Comic Relief, is hoping to flatter her way into the brooding chef’s good books.
She said: "I'm hoping for some tips from Marco as I get confused making toast.
I’m a huge fan of the show and am thrilled to be joining the team."
The series, which tries to turn celebs into five-star chefs, returns next month.
