Fleur East introduced as new co-host of BBC’s Strictly: It Takes Two
F
leur East has been introduced as the brand new co-host of Strictly Come Dancing spin-off present It Takes Two.
The singer and former Strictly contestant mentioned she was “so excited to officially join the family” after the news was introduced on The One Show on Friday.
East will be part of Janette Manrara as the brand new co-host for the present later this 12 months, following the departure of Rylan Clark.
She mentioned: “I’m so excited to officially join the Strictly family. I had such an amazing time on the show last year and so cannot wait to be talking to the celebs each week on It Takes Two.
“Being a Strictly fan, I’m excited to get all the behind-the-scenes exclusives on the show. I know exactly what the next lot of celebs will be going through.
“It’s an incredibly fun experience, but it’s tough. Hopefully, I can offer them a bit of support and a friendly face along the way.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to get started.”
The announcement was beforehand teased on BBC social media, with a brief clip of East’s toes performing a few steps.
Speaking on The One Show, she mentioned she felt “a lot of relief” having stored the key for a very long time, including: “the stress (was) real”.
It comes after the earlier present co-host Clark stepped down in April.
The 34-year previous TV persona introduced his choice, later saying he wished to “pass on the baton to someone else and explore what else life has for me”.
Clark had hosted the present since 2019 with Zoe Ball, and later with skilled dancer Manrara, who joined in 2021.
In an announcement posted to Instagram on the time, he wrote: “I’ve had the best time hosting the show alongside Janette and Zoe, and I can’t thank the amazing team enough for always putting on a great show.
“I’ve been welcomed into the Strictly family and will firmly hold that title dear to me. The time has come for me to pass on the baton to someone else and explore what else life has for me.
“Thank you Strictly, you will always have my heart … and dancing feet.”
Eve Winstanley, government producer for BBC Studios and Strictly It Takes Two, mentioned: “Fleur is a brilliant addition to the Strictly It Takes Two family.
“She has been in the contestants’ shoes, so can offer the best advice, tips and insight on what to expect.
“We can’t wait for audiences to see Janette and Fleur together, they’re a dynamic duo.”
Audiences will have the ability to tune into the brand new collection of Strictly: It Takes Two in September from 6.30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.