Ellie Taylor Confirmed as New Host of 'Strictly: It Takes Two'
Comedian, actor, and presenter Ellie Taylor has officially been confirmed as the new host of the BBC’s hit companion show, Strictly: It Takes Two, with Emma Wills announcing the news on BBC Radio 2.
The news was officially broken on Saturday afternoon by Emma Willis during her BBC Radio 2 show, where Willis was joined in the studio by upcoming Strictly Come Dancing contestant Delta Goodrum.
Taylor takes the reins of the popular weekday spin-off series as it undergoes a major transformation. Much like the main Strictly Come Dancing show, It Takes Two has been fully revamped behind the scenes and will launch with a sleek, fresh look when it returns to screens this September.
Listen back to the announcement, and Ellie’s interview about her new role.
Ellie Taylor says: “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.)”
From the Ballroom to the Studio: Ellie Taylor’s Journey
For Taylor, taking over hosting duties on It Takes Two brings her Strictly journey full circle.
The Essex-born star first made her mark on the stand-up comedy circuit before rising to national prominence on ITV’s Show Me the Funny. She quickly built a versatile screen career, hosting BBC Three’s Snog Marry Avoid?, fronting Bake Off: The Professionals and The Great Pottery Throw Down, and appearing on panel shows including Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo, and 8 Out of 10 Cats. Her comedic star rose internationally thanks to her memorable performance as Susan Traherne on The Mash Report—a clip of which famously went viral via Madonna—and her acting role as Flo “Sassy” Collins in the multi-award-winning Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso.
Taylor is no stranger to the iconic glitterball pressure, having competed as a contestant on the 20th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2022. Partnered with professional dancer Johannes Radebe, she wowed audiences and reached the tenth week of the competition.
In addition to her television work, Taylor has established herself as a trusted voice on the airwaves, frequently stepping in as a guest presenter on BBC Radio 2—most recently covering the station’s flagship Drivetime show.
A Fresh New Look for September
Fans can expect a glitzier, modernized iteration of It Takes Two when the ballroom extravaganza returns in September. With updated graphics, a refreshed studio setup, and Taylor at the helm to break down all the training-room gossip, wardrobe reveals, and judges’ critiques, the companion series promises to keep viewers closer to the dancefloor action than ever before.
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