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Strictly Come Dancing survey

Tyron Surmon Find Out Now Market Research

Tyron Surmon

28th Apr, 2026 | 6 mins read

Find Out Now surveyed a representative sample of 2,000 Strictly Come Dancing fans for the Mail on Sunday. Full questionnaire, results and data tables can be found below:

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are stepping down as hosts of Strictly, having done it together for over a decade.

The below list shows some names of who could potentially replace them. Who would you most like to see? Please select two

  • Emma Willis [25%]
  • Angela Scanlon [10%]
  • Alex Jones [11%]
  • Zoe Ball [28%]
  • Alison Hammond [17%]
  • Rylan Clark [28%]
  • Bradley Walsh [14%]
  • Tom Allen [13%]
  • La Voix [15%]
  • None of the above [14%]

Would you like a same sex presenting duo?

  • Yes, it worked so well with Tess and Claudia [12%]
  • Doesn’t matter either way [88%]

Does one of the presenters need a Strictly connection?

  • Yes, at least one needs to have a Strictly connection [26%]
  • No, it doesn’t matter [74%]

If you had to choose, who would you choose to leave the judging panel?

  • Shirley Ballas [17%]
  • Anton Du Beke [8%]
  • Motsi Mabuse [22%]
  • Craig Revel-Horwood [7%]
  • Don’t know [46%]

Should the results show be live and moved to a Sunday night?

  • Yes, it should be live [45%]
  • No, keep it how it is [35%]
  • Don’t know [20%]

Were they right to axe professionals such as Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez and Luba Mushtuk to make way for newcomers?

  • Yes, it’s time for new professionals to take over [18%]
  • No, I’m sad to see them go and it won’t be the same without them [52%]
  • Don’t know [30%]

Should the head judge have the deciding vote each week?

  • Yes, the head judge should have the deciding vote [32%]
  • No, it should alternate between the judging panel as was implemented last year [58%]
  • Don’t know [10%]

Should contestants who have professional dance training be allowed to compete?

  • No, they shouldn’t be allowed to compete if they have had professional training [57%]
  • Yes, dancers of any ability should be allowed to compete [34%]
  • Don’t know [9%]

Last year they introduced a number of ‘gimmicks’ such as the instant dance challenge and the return of former contestants for a group dance – did you enjoy the format changes or is it better without them?

  • Yes, they were fun and freshened up the format [54%]
  • No, keep it to the tried and tested format [29%]
  • Don’t know [18%]

Should there be a less garish set design?

  • Yes, it needs a new, updated set [14%]
  • No, the old set still works well [69%]
  • Don’t know [18%]

Full data tables can be found here