Fleur East confirmed as new Strictly Come Dancing It Takes Two host after Rylan Clark quit

Fleur East has been confirmed as the new Strictly Come Dancing It Takes Two host after Rylan Clark announced his departure from the spin-off show. 

The singer, 35, will return to the ballroom following her appearance in last year’s competition, where she came second. 

Speaking after the announcement, Fleur shared her excitement admitting that she couldn’t quite believe it, but would have some ‘big boots to fill.’

In a statement shared to Instagram in April, Rylan, 34, told Strictly fans he was ‘saying goodbye’ to the spin-off show to ‘explore what else life has for me’. 

Following the announcement on Friday, Fleur exclaimed: ‘I couldn’t believe it, I still can’t believe it. I was with my husband, I was away, and got a phone call from my agent.’ 

She continued: ‘She did all the pleasantries and moments later was like, you’ve got It Takes Two.’

The singer admitted is was ‘the worst thing ever’ to keep secret, saying: ‘I was trying to just get it out of my head. With the social video, I tried to find the biggest boots I could find. With Rylan gone, I have some big boots to fill.

‘It’s a lot of relief because the stress is real. It’s going to be a lot of fun.’ 

It comes after Rylan revealed the real reason he quit Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show It Takes Two – amid rumours he is set to host the Big Brother reboot. 

The presenter insisted he ‘isn’t going anywhere’ but wanted to take some time to ‘sit indoors in my pyjamas’ for a while. 

Speaking on his BBC Radio 2 show, he told his listeners: ‘So I just want to say publicly to all the Strictly family, I love you dearly for the last four years.

‘Can I just confirm please as well, I’m seeing all the rumours. Please carry on with your rumours, I ain’t going anywhere darling. 

‘It was just my time to say thank you and you know, go, and I don’t know, sit indoors in my pyjamas for a bit.’

Goodbye: In a statement shared to Instagram in April, Rylan, 34, told Strictly fans he was ‘saying goodbye’ to the spin-off show to ‘explore what else life has for me’

New venture: Speaking after the announcement, Fleur shared her excitement admitting that she couldn’t quite believe it, but would have some ‘big boots to fill’ (pictured today)

Rylan had shared a statement on Instagram announcing his departure from the show, which he co-hosted with Janette Manrara.

He wrote: ‘After four fantastic years it’s time for me to hang up my glittery jacket and say goodbye to It Takes Two.

‘I’ve had the best time hosting 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 my dancing feet.’