A MERRY DANCE - ‘THE STRICTLY WINNER? IT'S ANYONE'S GAME!'

ANYONE’S GAME!’ RYLAN CLARK-NEAL GIVES US HIS TAKE ON THE STRICTLY FINALISTS AND REVEALS WHY HE’D ONLY TAKE TO THE FAMOUS DANCE FLOOR WITH HOSTS TESS DALY AND CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN

- RIANNE ISON

Strictly fever has truly swept the nation as viewers of the BBC juggernaut count down to the glitzy final this weekend. But we’re not the only ones excited to see who lifts the sought-after glitter ball. Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two host Rylan Clark-Neal is also eager to find out who will be crowned champ. “This year the talent is ridiculous,” says Rylan, who shares It Takes Two presenting duties with Zoe Ball, as we catch up over the phone.

And while Rylan, 32, deserves a well-earned rest once Strictly finishes, the popular presenter won’t be off our screens for long. On New Year’s Day, Rylan will be taking on Strictly judge Shirley Ballas and Four Weddings And A Funeral actor John Hannah in Channel 4’s hilarious game show Taskmaster.

We caught up with the in-demand star to chat about why he can’t call who will win this year’s fierce competition, his conditions for taking to the dance floor and why he’s already started a campaign to sign Eamonn Holmes for the 2021 series…

Hi Rylan. It’s nearly the Strictly final! How does it feel to have been part of the nation’s favourite show, especially this year?

I don’t think we should underestimate the power of telly, and putting on a show like Strictly. Yes, we’ve got no audience. Yes, it feels a little bit different. But all the people who watched it before are still watching it because it’s a nice escape and a bit of normality.