Alison Hammond has backtracked on rejecting the Strictly Come Dancing hosting job - insisting she'd be 'crazy' to turn down the opportunity.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman exited the much-loved BBC show last year - with speculation rife as to who will replace them.

This Morning and The Great British Bake Off star Alison, 51, has long been among the rumoured names to join the programme.

She previously distanced herself from the coveted gig, saying she was busy with her existing TV projects.

Alison told Radio Times: 'I'm so busy babes, that I'm not sure it's going to happen. It's unrealistic.

'I would have loved to have done it – anybody that gets it, they're going to land the perfect job. 

'But I'm so happy with everything I've got. What would I drop, to do Strictly?'

However in a new interview, Alison has since clarified her stance on taking over the ballroom.

Speaking to Metro, she revealed: ''Do you think I would turn down Strictly if Strictly came along? 

'Who would turn down Strictly! They'd be absolutely crazy.'

Alison continued: 'I was trying to back them off because ultimately everyone keeps putting my name in the mix and they're ruining my chances of even getting on to Strictly, d'you know what I mean?'

'You all need to stop talking about it because I need to get in.'

She concluded: 'I'm not too busy, I'm fitter than I've ever been before. 

'I can do Strictly. I can do it all. All these people saying: "I'm too busy, and I can't do it…", I could do Strictly. Let's put that on the record.'

It comes as Bradley Walsh has become a frontrunner for the new host of Strictly Come Dancing.

Last week, it was reported filming for The Chase has been halted for 'at least a year'.

Bradley, 65, who has presented the show since 2009, is said to be one of producers' favourites to join the BBC dancing show.

But TV insiders think the presenter could be faced with a huge dilemma as he is the face of another huge Saturday night show, Gladiators.

Bradley and his son Barney, 28, brought back the nineties reboot in 2024, with the show becoming an instant ratings hit.

It has so far spanned three series, two celebrity versions and CBBC spin-off, with many of the Gladiators making a string of TV appearances including Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Sewing Bee. 

If Bradley was to get the Strictly job, he may have to walk away from Gladiators which has helped launched his son's presenting career.

Barney began his career in various acting roles including Law & Order: UK and Doctors and then worked alongside his father on ITV's Breaking Dad, before landing the primetime show, Gladiators.

A source told The Sun: 'Bradley is hugely ambitious and hard-working and hosting Strictly was a job he was born to do. But family is hugely important to him. He is very close to Barney and has helped him throughout his career.

'His son is currently enjoying having the biggest job of his life so far, but it’s unlikely the Beeb would let his dad host two big Saturday night shows.

'Producers want stars to be synonymous with those shows, and doing two big entertainment blockbusters on the BBC doesn’t sit well with channel chiefs, so does Bradley stay on Gladiators and secure his son’s future, or go for the job of a lifetime — and jeopardise his son’s future?'

The publication also states Bradley has an action-packed schedule, even if The Chase takes a break from filming.

The presenter hosts Blankety Blank and Egypt’s Cosmic Code for Sky History. The Chase requires him to film three episodes a day for 50 days a year. He previously joked he 'virtually lives at the studios'.

Daily Mail has contacted Bradley's representatives and the BBC for comment.