Bradley Walsh appears to have taken himself out of contention to become the next host of Strictly Come Dancing, following the announcement of his upcoming tour dates. The 65-year-old presenter, known for hosting The Chase, had been considered a leading candidate for the coveted BBC role for several months. He was also among the presenters reported to have auditioned for BBC executives last month, alongside Rylan Clark, Zoe Ball, and Emma Willis.
However, Walsh has now revealed the autumn schedule for his 2026 Prat Pack tour, and several dates could easily conflict with his obligations at Elstree Studios. The tour, a variety tribute to the Rat Pack, features Walsh alongside friends Brian Conley, Joe Pasquale, and Shane Richie, accompanied by a 15-piece live band.
Following a sold-out run last year, the group has released ticketing details for 17 new dates under the title The Prat Pack's Back. The tour runs from September 2 in Edinburgh to September 26 at the London Palladium. In 2025, Strictly launched on September 20, with pre-recorded shows and extensive promotional duties beforehand.
While it is not impossible that Walsh could still be chosen as the new host, his packed schedule in the month leading up to the series makes it increasingly unlikely. A source told The Sun: 'Bradley's announcement looks to be the surest sign yet he's not the new Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The Prat Pack perform as a foursome so there's no chance Bradley can be covered for clashes, and by the same token he would be needed by the BBC for most of September for pre-records and press. There are just four days off on the tour. It's unlikely it would have been unveiled this week, with tickets put on sale, if a Strictly update announcing Bradley as host was imminent.'
A BBC spokesperson stated: 'Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.' This development follows Strictly's confirmation of its judging panel for the 2026 series, as well as the roster of returning professional dancers, after several high-profile departures from the cast. The broadcaster also noted that new dancers will join the lineup, but these additions will not be announced until closer to the show's return this autumn.
The judging panel for the new series will include Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, along with head judge Shirley Ballas, who recently sparked concerns among fans about a potential exit due to a new spin-off show she is judging with her son Mark for Dancing on Ice. Metro has contacted Bradley Walsh's representative for comment.
