Rylan Clark, known for his infectious personality and stand-out sass, has made the difficult decision to step down from his role as host of the popular Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show, It Takes Two.
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Rylan shared an emotional statement expressing his gratitude to the BBC series and its team.
In his heartfelt tweet, Rylan wrote, “Been a pleasure @bbcstrictly,” and included the statement, “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.”
Rylan went on to express his appreciation for being welcomed into the Strictly family, stating, “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.
The official Strictly Twitter page also shared the news and paid tribute to Rylan’s contributions to It Takes Two. They tweeted, “@Rylan is stepping down from hosting duties on #ItTakesTwo. Thank you Rylan for the last four years, continuing the sparkle of Saturday night throughout the week. You will be sorely missed by the entire Strictly family.”
Kate Phillips, director of BBC Unscripted, also expressed her gratitude to Rylan on behalf of BBC Two, BBC Daytime, and Strictly fans everywhere. She stated, “Rylan’s infectious personality, his stand-out sass and his genuine love for all the glitz and glamour of the ballroom, has been a big part of It Takes Two’s continued success. Rylan will always be part of the Strictly family of course, but I know he’ll be hugely missed by all the Strictly It Takes Two viewers, Janette and everyone else who works on the show.”
Fans of the show were saddened by Rylan’s departure, with many expressing their disappointment on social media. One fan wrote, “Ooooh. My family won’t be happy mate. They love this show xx,” while another added, “During the last season the hubby and I chatted about how you’d really grown into the show and made it your own over the last few years. We will miss you. Good luck xx.” Another fan said, “Oh Rylan we will miss you sooooo much, but wishing you all the very best in your new ventures!”
It Takes Two, originally hosted by Claudia Winkleman, saw Zoe Ball take over in 2011, and Rylan joined as a co-host in 2019. In 2021, Zoe announced her departure from the show, and Janette Manrara was later confirmed as her replacement.
Rylan’s departure from It Takes Two marks the end of an era for the show, as he leaves behind a legacy of entertaining audiences with his charm, wit, and love for the glitz and glamour of the ballroom.
While he may be stepping down from his hosting duties, Rylan will always be a beloved part of the Strictly family, and fans eagerly await his next adventures in the world of entertainment.
