End of an Era: Fleur East Reportedly Exits Strictly’s It Takes Two Amid Historic 2026 Show Shake-Up
The glittering world of Saturday night television is currently undergoing one of the most dramatic transformations in its recent history. The beloved BBC flagship programme, Strictly Come Dancing, is in the midst of a colossal and unprecedented overhaul ahead of its highly anticipated 2026 series. The winds of change have swept through the iconic ballroom, leaving fans reeling from a cascade of departure announcements. The latest bombshell to rock the Strictly universe is the widely reported news that the incredibly charismatic Fleur East is set to exit her role as the co-host of the popular spin-off show, Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
For the millions of dedicated viewers who tune in every week to get their fix of backstage gossip, sequined drama, and rigorous dance analysis, the potential departure of Fleur East is a bitter pill to swallow. Since joining the It Takes Two family, the multi-talented singer, presenter, and former Strictly finalist has brought an infectious energy, genuine warmth, and deeply empathetic understanding to the screen. Having stood in the exact same shoes as the nervous celebrities she interviewed, Fleur possessed a unique ability to extract the rawest and most authentic emotions from the contestants. Her reported exit, alongside her co-host Janette Manrara, marks the definitive end of a fiercely beloved chapter in the show’s enduring legacy.
To fully grasp the magnitude of Fleur’s rumoured departure, one must look at the broader, seismic shifts currently reshaping the Strictly landscape. The catalyst for this monumental shake-up was the shocking announcement late last year that the legendary presenting duo, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, would be stepping down from the main show. For two decades, Tess and Claudia had been the steadfast, reassuring anchors of the programme, guiding the nation through every foxtrot, tango, and inevitable dance-floor disaster with unparalleled grace and razor-sharp wit. Their departure sent shockwaves through the broadcasting industry and immediately triggered a frantic, highly publicised search for their successors.
The BBC ultimately unveiled a brand-new, dynamic presenting trio designed to usher the show into a bold new era: the wonderfully engaging Emma Willis, the hilarious comedian Josh Widdicombe, and the beloved Strictly professional dancer Johannes Radebe. While this new lineup has generated significant excitement, it has also instituted a domino effect of radical changes across the entire production, heavily impacting the beloved spin-off show and the roster of professional dancers. Alongside the sweeping presenter changes, a mass exodus of some of the show’s most iconic professional dancers has been confirmed. Fan favourites including the incredibly talented Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Márquez, and the longest-serving female professional, Karen Hauer, have all announced their emotional departures.
Amidst this whirlwind of corporate restructuring and creative reinvention, Fleur East’s position on It Takes Two became a topic of intense speculation. The Sun recently broke the news that show bosses are looking to completely overhaul the spin-off, resulting in Fleur’s heartbreaking exit. When pressed for an official comment regarding the mounting rumours, a spokesperson for the BBC offered a characteristically tight-lipped response, simply stating, “Further plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.” This standard, non-committal industry phrasing has done little to quell the anxiety of her dedicated fanbase, who view the lack of a firm denial as a tacit confirmation of her impending departure.
Adding an entirely new and deeply poignant layer to this unfolding drama are Fleur’s own remarkably candid and vulnerable recent comments regarding the behind-the-scenes race for the main presenting job. Before the official announcement confirming Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe as the new hosts, Fleur’s name had been heavily floated as a strong, natural contender for the coveted role. Her vibrant personality, existing connection with the Strictly audience, and undeniable live television skills made her a seemingly perfect fit to seamlessly step into the massive void left by Tess and Claudia.
However, the coveted call to join the main stage never came. Speaking with a refreshing, unfiltered honesty to her co-hosts Will Best and James Barr on the Hits Radio Breakfast show, Fleur opened up about the profound disappointment she experienced when she learned she had been entirely bypassed for the promotion. “Alright, I’m going to say it,” she began, addressing the elephant in the room with her listeners. She recalled how, when the initial news of Tess and Claudia’s departure broke, many people, including her own colleagues, heavily tipped her as the outright favourite for the job.
“I did say, ‘you know, yeah, but you know, it’s probably not going to happen and I’m happy for whoever gets it’,” she explained, detailing the protective emotional armour she had carefully constructed to shield herself from potential rejection. When Emma Willis was officially announced, Fleur publicly offered her enthusiastic congratulations. “I was like ‘yeah, great, amazing’,” she recalled. However, the relentless questioning from fans and industry peers forced her to confront her true, underlying feelings. “So many people have asked me, ‘but wouldn’t you love to do it?’, 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.”
In a moment of profound vulnerability that deeply resonated with anyone who has ever missed out on a dream opportunity, Fleur bravely confessed, “But I think I’m kind of bothered.” When her supportive co-host Will validated her feelings, telling her that her disappointment was completely understandable, Fleur elaborated on the immense emotional weight of the situation. “I think it’s okay to kind of admit that, oh, I don’t know, I’m doing it, it’s happening. 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. Like it’s been an incredible job to be part of.”
Her heartfelt admission paints a vivid, incredibly relatable picture of a fiercely ambitious, deeply talented woman coming to terms with a significant, painful professional setback. Fleur’s journey with Strictly Come Dancing has always been characterised by overwhelming passion and an unyielding commitment to excellence. She first exploded onto the Strictly dance floor in 2022, partnered with the incredibly dynamic Italian professional, Vito Coppola. Together, they formed a spectacular, high-octane partnership that consistently set the ballroom utterly ablaze. They navigated the intense pressures of the competition with remarkable resilience, famously surviving four separate, terrifying dance-offs—a testament to their fierce determination and Fleur’s undeniable, raw talent.
Their hard work culminated in a historic, unforgettable moment at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom, where they achieved the very first perfect score of 40 in that series for their breathtaking Couple’s Choice routine. Although they ultimately finished as immensely proud runners-up, Fleur had undeniably won the collective heart of the nation. It was this deep, enduring connection with the audience that made her transition to hosting It Takes Two in 2023 such a brilliantly natural and widely celebrated progression. She stepped into the role with an effortless, radiant charm, replacing the beloved Rylan Clark and instantly establishing a wonderful, warm dynamic with her co-host Janette Manrara.
The reported simultaneous exits of both Fleur and Janette leave a colossal, gaping void at the very heart of It Takes Two. The spin-off show has always served as the crucial, beating heart of the Strictly community—a safe, welcoming haven where celebrities can openly cry over their blistered feet, professionals can meticulously break down complex choreography, and fans can indulge in the minutiae of the competition. Finding a new presenting team capable of replicating the genuine warmth, deep insider knowledge, and sparkling chemistry that Fleur and Janette effortlessly brought to the screen will be a monumental, highly challenging task for the BBC producers.
While the loss of her Strictly role is undoubtedly a massive blow, it is absolutely essential to remember that Fleur East is a formidable, multi-faceted powerhouse of talent whose career extends far beyond the confines of the ballroom. Her entire professional journey is a testament to incredible resilience, boundless versatility, and an unwavering, fierce work ethic. From her initial, difficult struggles in the music industry to her spectacular, career-defining resurgence on The X Factor in 2014, Fleur has consistently proven her remarkable ability to adapt, evolve, and ultimately triumph over adversity.
Beyond her highly successful television presenting career, she remains a dominant, beloved fixture on the national airwaves as the cheerful, energetic host of the Hits Radio Breakfast show. Furthermore, she recently pushed her immense artistic boundaries by making her highly anticipated West End debut, taking on the incredibly demanding, iconic lead role in The Tina Turner Musical. Stepping into the legendary shoes of the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll was a herculean, physically exhausting task that required unparalleled vocal prowess and immense stage presence—qualities that Fleur possesses in absolute abundance. Juggling this demanding, exhausting theatrical run with her early morning radio duties and her precious role as a devoted mother is a staggering achievement that speaks volumes about her incredible, unyielding drive and dedication.
As the dust slowly begins to settle on the sweeping, historic changes overtaking Strictly Come Dancing, the overarching narrative is one of profound, inevitable evolution. Television, much like the beautiful art of dance itself, relies entirely on continuous movement, fresh perspectives, and the courage to embrace the unknown. The BBC’s incredibly bold decision to completely hit the reset button on its most successful, beloved entertainment property is a massive, high-stakes gamble. Whether this new, radically altered era will successfully capture the same magical, lightning-in-a-bottle essence that has kept the nation utterly enthralled for over two decades remains to be seen.
For Fleur East, this reported exit, while deeply disappointing and emotionally taxing, merely represents the closing of one beautiful, glitter-filled chapter and the thrilling, wide-open beginning of another. She leaves behind a spectacular, joyous legacy on Strictly Come Dancing—both as a phenomenal, record-breaking contestant and a deeply empathetic, wonderful host. Her fierce talent, radiant charisma, and remarkable, deeply refreshing honesty have firmly cemented her status as one of the most beloved, authentic, and versatile stars in British broadcasting today. Wherever her incredible, multifaceted journey takes her next, one thing is absolutely certain: Fleur East will continue to shine incredibly brightly, unapologetically owning every single stage, studio, and platform she graces.
