Fleur East admits ‘I’ve been lying to myself’ as she breaks silence on Strictly job

Fleur East has confessed she had been ‘lying to myself’ as she pondered whether she would be in the running for the main Strictly Come Dancing presenter’s role

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Fleur East was linked with the Strictly job(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Fleur East has revealed her true feelings surrounding the vacant Strictly Come Dancing presenter jobs. The popular show is on the hunt for a new host after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s surprise decision to step down from the coveted role.

And singer Fleur, who has both appeared on the show and presented its spin-off It Takes Two, has admitted her views after being linked with the position. She opened up on her Hits Radio Breakfast Show on Wednesday, telling co-hosts Will Best and James Barr how she really feels, especially as her spin-off role was axed.

She told the pair on air: “All right, I’m going to say it. I did say initially, after Tess and Claudia announced they were leaving Strictly you know, it’s probably not going to happen [for me] and I’m happy for whoever gets it.

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Fleur East opened up on missing out on the Strictly presenter’s role(Image: BBC)

“And we were just talking about Emma Willis being announced and I was like, yeah, great, amazing and I’ve kind of lied to myself that I’d be all right with not doing it or not being considered for the job. But I’m kind of bothered…”

She revealed she feels it is okay to admit that too. Fleur went on: “I think it’s okay to admit that being faced with the opportunity of such an incredible job.

“I mean, it’s an amazing show. I’ve not only had the privilege and pleasure of being on it, but then also hosting It Takes Two and being part of the family, it’s been an incredible job to be a part of.

“So, when you’re within touching distance of something like that, and even considering it for a minute, I never allowed myself to really go fully there, but I did think about it. I was like, that would be amazing.

“So yeah, I guess I have been lying to myself when I’ve been saying, I’m fine. I’m coming to terms with it but I feel I was okay before it was kind of confirmed that someone’s got the job. Because until it was confirmed, I was like, well, they might call me one day.

“They might do all the tests and they go, actually, yeah, we haven’t seen Fleur. Let’s give her a little call. But it’s gone to the right person.”

While the official announcement hasn’t been made, it’s believed Emma Willis will take on the responsibility. And it’s thought that professional dancer Johannes Radebe will take a spot alongside her to complete a dynamic duo.

It’s thought that Johannes, whose nickname is JoJo, left bosses with no other option but to sign him up after the recent auditions for the role. A source told The Sun: “During the chemistry tests he was paired up with every other celeb and did incredibly well. They all think he would be the perfect partner for Emma.”

A source went on to explain that while the professional dancers have already been announced, including Johannes, that doesn’t mean he will miss out on a promotion into the presenter role. According to sources, his role is currently being figured out.

“He knows the dances better than anyone and is incredibly popular with Strictly fans,” the source went on. “Whether he’s going to be a host like Emma or take a slightly different presenting role is being ironed out.”