Ellie Taylor confirmed as the new host of BBC Two's Strictly - It Takes Two

Taking over from Fleur East and Janette Manrara.

Ahead of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing launching this September, the BBC has confirmed the return of Strictly - It Takes Two, with a new look and a new host. Comedian, presenter, and former Strictly contestant Ellie Taylor, who takes over from Fleur East and Janette Manrara.

Ellie's mission is to bring you more access, more insight and more Strictly magic than ever before. With new episodes premiering every weeknight from the home of Strictly, Elstree Studios, It Takes Two will offer a peek behind the curtain at everything that goes into making the UK's favourite dance show, with more to see than ever before.

Costume Design Queen Vicky Gill will still be on hand to keep fans in the know about who's wearing what, and key members of the creative team will give viewers a deep dive into every aspect of what it takes to create a spectacular Strictly performance.

New features will include in-depth discussions among groups of celebs and groups of Pros, often without their partners, and a new Strictly alumni panel to revisit the Strictly ballroom for a unique insight into each weekend's show.

Plus expect all of the training room VTs, exclusive interviews, announcements and reveals that It Takes Two is known for.

On taking over hosting duties, Ellie Taylor said "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.)"

To which Helen Munson, BBC Commissioning Editor, said "We'd like to say a huge thank you to the brilliant Janette Manrara and Fleur East, who've been a massive part of It Takes Two's continued success over the years. It Takes Two is a joy to make and we're so proud to have it on the BBC every autumn. As we embark on what will be an incredibly exciting new series of Strictly, we can't wait to be there every step of the way."

And Rhe-an Archibald, Strictly - It Takes Two Executive Producer, BBC Studios, said "This is Strictly – It Takes Two, reinvented for the 2026 season. With a wealth of new features and deep dives, we want to reflect the conversations happening in living rooms up and down the country – full of opinions, laughs, surprises and those moments everyone wants to talk about. With the fun and funny Ellie at the helm, it will be an utterly unmissable companion to Strictly Come Dancing.”

That's of course, not the only change this series, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to host the main show.

Strictly - It Takes Two returns this September on BBC Two