Exclusive: Rylan Clark reveals "amazing" secret audition with an "absolute icon" to host Strictly Come Dancing

TV presenter Rylan Clark revealed he had a secret chemistry test with an "absolute icon" to host the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The 38-year-old telly favourite told Digital Spy he was shocked to walk in the audition room and see the female star, during the BBC's search for replacements for Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.

Being careful not to give away the identity of the mystery candidate, he said: "There's no secret about it. I did the chemistry tests and it went really well.

"I can't say who I was in the chemistry tests with as their name hasn't come up. My first chemistry test was with an absolute icon who I love.

"I have met her a few times as well and I love her and we just laughed the whole way through, and it was a real shock to me because you didn't find out who you are going to be with until you went. We had half hour before the chemistry test and we didn't even read the script - we were just gossiping and chatting.

"It was as much of a shock to me as when I walked into that room as I think it would be the public. I was like are you f***ing joking? Like that is crazy. I love her and weirdly enough all the way up to it coming out who it was that got the job, she was messaging me all the time going, 'you're going to get it, oh my god I really hope you get it'."

The TV presenter revealed he went on to have an audition the next day with a former Strictly contestant, who is now presenting Strictly: It Takes Two.

"I actually had another chemistry test the following day with Ellie Taylor who is great and I love," Rylan explains, adding: "But I won't say the name of the other person."

The process to find the new hosts wasn't all glitz and glam, revealed Rylan, who likened it to a GCSE drama rehearsal.

"So, yeah the chemistry tests were amazing and it was really funny because it was like GCSE Strictly. Like this little B&M's sparkly cloth on a table, it was like a GCSE production, but it was really fun, and the chemistry tests went great, so I know that they just wanted to go for what they've gone for.

"And I have seen a load of write ups like, 'just how bad did Rylan's chemistry tests go for him not to get the job?' And I'm like, 'it went really well actually,' so they've chosen what they wanted and this year they wanted to do something a little bit different and they've done that, and I support it fully and I still watch the show. I watched the launch show and first live show and it is just Strictly."

Rylan admitted he was a little "gutted" to have missed out on the gig, but is thrilled his 'TV wife' Emma Willis got the call.

"I have the same manager as Emma, and me and Emma have had the same manager forever," he said.

"When I knew I didn't get it my next question was, tell me Emma did? So, it was one of those moments where I was ah, I'm a little bit gutted obviously that they didn't choose me, but at the same time I was really glad for Emma.

"I am so proud of her. Emma is my telly wife so it's like seeing your wife do her dream job.

"She is just doing amazing, but from the second that I knew Emma was doing it I was just so...you know like it's weird when you are so happy for someone else that ain't you. It was very much like that with Emma, and you know she has worked and worked and worked, and she is probably one of the best presenters in the country.

"So the fact she is doing a job that I know she really wanted and that she loves, it is just so amazing to see her in that role and she is smashing it."

Remaining humble, Rylan who has just finished filming another series of Dating Naked UK and is a jump-scare actor for M&M’S new Halloween campaign giving away 2,000 Vue cinema tickets, laughed off rumours he could be hosting Strictly next year, and praised its new co-hosts Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdecombe.

Rylan Clark

"I think Josh and Johannes are both lovely guys. I worked with Jo Jo for years when I did Strictly and he is such a lovely man. I miss him dancing of course because he's such a good dancer, but I'm sure we are going to see him dancing at one point.

"And Josh, I have worked with a few times on Radio 2 on The Last Leg and he's such a funny bloke. Look, it is all change and I think anytime something changes it's got to take a couple of weeks for everyone to go, 'oh this is what it is now'.

"Think back to when Claudia started after Brucey, so you've just got to let it bed in and give them a chance for God's sake.

"I don't think any mistakes happened. I think they've gone for the people that they wanted to go for and I think people have got to give it a bit of time. It is brand new, there are three people, a dancer is now a host, a comedian is there.

"There's so much new there this year on Strictly and this was the year for them to make all these changes - even the titles are different, so I think they've got to give it a chance. Listen, you're still watching it and everyone's still talking about it, so I'm sure the BBC are happy."

But if that call comes next year from telly bosses saying we want you to present Strictly, what would Rylan's answer be?

"I would probably sit there and say I don't like to think too far ahead. I just live in the moment. I don't know. I am just happy to still be breathing."

Rylan Clark is teaming up with M&M’S this Halloween to celebrate spooky film nights, giving away free cinema tickets in partnership with Vue. Visit mms.com to find out how. There will be 500 winners, each receiving four Vue cinema tickets. Draws will take place every other day. Tickets can be used until 31 December 2026. Full terms and conditions apply.