IT’S hard to remember a time when our fix of Strictly Come Dancing did not feature the irrepressible Rylan Clark.
During his four years as host of spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two, he has been as integral to the BBC hit as main presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
But the telly favourite and Radio 2 regular has aspirations beyond Strictly — with designs on a surprising career goal elsewhere on the Beeb.
Asked where he’d fancy a job, Rylan said with a laugh: “EastEnders! I’d love to be a long-lost Slater.”
Walford’s Slater clan includes soap titans such as Jessie Wallace as Kat and Laila Morse as Big Mo.
But for now, Rylan is busy preparing for his stint on It Takes Two alongside former Strictly professional dancer Janette Manrara.
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The BBC One competiton returns to our screens for the latest season’s launch on Friday and marks the contest’s 20th series. Its BBC Two spin-off starts on Monday at 6.30pm.
Rylan said: “It feels so amazing to be back. Being part of the show for the last four years has been such a pleasure for me.
“To be part of it for such a big anniversary is an honour. Me and Janette will be bringing Strictly into your homes five nights a week.
“You can expect all the backstage gossip and exclusive clips from the rehearsals.”
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In 2019 Rylan joined Zoe Ball, who was until then the solo presenter of It Takes Two. He welcomed Janette as his co-host last year.
Janette said: “It was a dream come true for me last year. To be back for my second year, I couldn’t be happier.
“The 20th series feels like it will be a very special one, so I’m absolutely honoured to still be a part of such an amazing show.
“I have always been a fan of Strictly, even when I was competing in it. To now be a proper fan, and also provide that space where the couples get to share their joy and frustrations with us and the audience, is really special.”
It might be all sunshine and roses now, but Rylan revealed he has got his eye on her husband, former Strictly dancer Aljaz Skorjanec, who partnered Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies last year.
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Asked whether he’d consider taking to the floor, Rylan joked: “I’d bring Aljaz back and I would do a tango.”
Janette added: “I love watching Aljaz dance. It was wonderful for me watching my husband and Sara, who is now a friend for life, dancing together.”
