💔 “Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be…” Rylan Clark has emotionally ruled himself out of the race for the new Strictly hosting role — just days after reportedly taking part in a chemistry test audition that left fans convinced he had already secured the job

Rylan Clark has “ruled himself out” of the Strictly hosting gig, just days after his chemistry test audition, according to reports.

The news comes amid reports claiming Emma Willis, a close pal of Rylan’s, will be replacing Tess Daly in the show’s hosting role this year.

Emma Willis ‘lands Strictly gig’

According to The Sun, Emma, 50, has been offered the Strictly hosting gig after impressing BBC bosses.

Speaking to the publication, a source said Emma will be accepting the offer and that she “absolutely nailed the chemistry tests”.

“Emma is a household name and a safe pair of hands, so the BBC knows she will do the job justice,” the source claimed.

“She’s incredibly popular with the public, too, and will suit the role down to a tee. She was absolutely thrilled to have been offered the job.”

It’s also been claimed that she will be joined in hosting the show by former It Takes Two host Zoe Ball.

Rylan Clark rules himself out of Strictly gig

A close collaborator of Emma’s is Rylan, who also presents the BBC’s Eurovision coverage this week (May 12-14). They worked together on Big Brother back in its Channel 5 days, and have regularly co-hosted This Morning together while the main presenters have been away.

However, the chances of Rylan and Emma reuniting to host one of the biggest shows on the BBC now looks unlikely, according to The Sun.

“Everyone knows that hosting Strictly would be a dream job for Rylan. He, of course, went for the audition because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime job, but soon after a chemistry test, he ruled himself out and started telling friends he’s doing Panto instead,” a source claimed.

‘It’s surprising’

“It’s surprising because Emma Willis is one of his closest friends. Rylan wasn’t the direction that Strictly wanted to go in.

“He wanted to make sure he was the one to show he had other plans anyway and ruled himself out before anyone could say otherwise,” they then added.

ED! has contacted the BBC and Rylan’s representatives for comment.