Rylan Clark shuts down Strictly Come Dancing rumours with four word response
Rylan Clarke has shut down speculation about him taking part in Strictly Come Dancing later this year.
The X Factor alum, 35, previously fronted the BBC ballroom’s spin-off series, It Takes Two, and was replaced by former contestant Fleur East last year.
When asked if he would ever grace the beloved dancing series, he simply said: "The answer is no."
He told the Daily Star’s Hot TV column, Rylan said: “I get asked to do Strictly all the time, but the answer is no. I wouldn’t do it.
“It wouldn’t be fair for me to go back and compete.
“It would be the same as if I went back into Celebrity Big Brother. It wouldn’t be fair.”
The BBC Radio 2 star won on Celebrity Big Brother’s 11th series in 2013, shortly after his X Factor exit. Since then, he's hosted numerous shows including Supermarket Sweep, Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, This Morning, and The Xtra Factor.
Speculation around the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 lineup continues to swirl, with names like Martin Roberts, Nicola Roberts, and Chris McCausland reportedly in consideration. McCausland could make history as the show’s first blind contestant.
Rylan’s remarks comes as the show’s head judge Shirley Ballas voiced her support for Giovanni Pernice, who is currently being investigated by the BBC over his behaviour while appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.
The Italian professional dancer first joined the BBC One dance competition in 2015 and quickly became a firm fan-favourite.
Last month it was announced that he would not be returning for the new series in September following accusations of “threatening and abusive” behaviour towards his celebrity dance partners.
Pernice has strongly denied all allegations against him, describing them as “simply false”. Someone who has backed him throughout is Strictly head judge Ballas, 57.
Despite reports that BBC bosses have banned the cast from discussing the “bullying row”, both she and fellow judge Anton Du Beke showed their solidarity with the embattled star by teaching at his Ballando dance workshop in London on Sunday.
According to the MailOnline, Ballas told dancers that it was an “honour and a privilege” to be there for Pernice, explaining: “I’ve known him for 10 years and we’re good friends”.
She then vowed: “I will be one person who will be by his side forever. What you see is what you get with him.”
