Huge Strictly Come Dancing shake-up as BBC spin-off show It Takes Two is set 'to be turned into vodcast' after hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East put 'at risk' of losing job

Strictly Come Dancing's long-running spin-off It Takes Two is reportedly being turned into a video podcast - after hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East were put 'at risk' of losing their jobs.  

The BBC series, which airs between episodes of the dancing competition and is packed with backstage gossip from the show, has now been tipped to be given the same treatment as popular spin-off format The Traitors: Uncloaked. 

The series, which has been running since 2004 and was previously hosted by former dancer Janette, 42, and singer Fleur, 38, is said to undergo changes as part of the major show shake-up ahead of the new series in September. 

The shake-up was sparked by the departure of show hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who waved goodbye to their role as co-hosts in 2025.   

An insider told The Sun: 'There is definitely a creative renewal on the table for It Takes Two, and they are poised to sign off on the radical option of a vodcast.

'But Beeb bosses have seen it embraced on other huge BBC One shows, particularly The Traitors, where the Uncloaked after show got millions tuning in.

'More and more people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy podcasts and vodcasts, so, despite being quite a departure, it’s actually quite a shrewd move.'

Earlier this year, it was reported that hosts Janette and Fleur were 'at risk' among the shake-ups to the cast line up on Strictly and It Takes Two.    

Claudia, 54, hosted It Takes Two from 2004 to 2010 before moving to join Tess, 57, on the main show was first replaced by Zoe Ball, who took over in 2010 and was later joined by co-host Rylan Clark in 2019. 

Zoe was replaced in 2021 by Janette, who appeared on the show as a professional dancer from 2013 to 2020, and, when Rylan stepped down, Fleur took on the reins as co-host.

While the BBC insisted that Janette and Fleur were safe, releasing a statement that is was 'incorrect to claim that either has been axed', Janette confirmed the duo were 'waiting to find out'. 

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Janette admitted she 'didn't know' about her future on It Takes Two, adding: 'We’ll have to wait and find out. I think everyone at the moment is on standby, so we’ll see what happens…'

Back in March, it was reported that Janette and Fleur would be waving goodbye to their time on the BBC spin-off series amid a 'bloodbath of top talent'.

'Fans will be stunned that this bloodbath is continuing, but bosses are determined to overhaul the show completely,' an industry source told The Sun.

'Nobody feels safe right now and there's a real drive behind the scenes to usher in a fresh era after all the recent drama.

'But the priority is a clean slate by September and putting distance between the show and the controversies of recent years.'

The telly source added actions taken by BBC bosses do not mean Janette and Fleur 'are out of the picture entirely' and that there could be other roles for them 'elsewhere'.

Daily Mail contacted BBC representatives for comment at the time. 

Elsewhere, professional dancer Karen Hauer broke down in tears as she confirmed she has quit Strictly following rumours she had been axed in the mass cull.

Karen told her fans in an emotional video: 'After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing, I've decided this is the right time for me to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas that I'm passionate about.

'Strictly completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher, but as a human being. I've had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people and brilliant celebrity partners who have become close friends and people I admire so much. 

'None of this would have been possible without the amazing fans. You've been there since day one, when I just moved to the UK and had no idea what I was getting myself into. I'm so grateful you watched me grow over the years and witnessed all of my different hair styles. 

'I'm going to miss everyone who makes the show possible, from hair, makeup, wardrobe, the crew behind the cameras, lighting, production and staging, the runners the arch and the band, the singers and the producers and welfare team who take such good care of us. It's an incredible machine powered by brilliant people. 

'To my fellow professional dancers, who I adore. I will always be cheering you on. You truly are the best in the business. I'll never forget joining the show 14 years ago with Sir Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman and learning from such incredible legends along the way.

'And to the brilliant Tess and Claudia, maybe now we can finally be ladies who lunch in the autumn. 

'I'll even miss standing in front of the judges. Can you believe that smiling politely while sometimes secretly disagreeing, it's been an honour to share the ballroom with them.

'And last but not least, thank you to my friends and family who have supported me through it all. I love you all. Now this isn't a goodbye, it's simply see you later, because I will never stop dancing. 

'Who would have thought that a young girl from the Bronx... would end up becoming the longest-serving female professional dancer on a British TV institution? Strictly will always be in my heart. I love you all.' 

The BBC dance competition recently underwent a major reshuffle, with several familiar faces leaving the series in what fans have described as a 'bloodbath'.

Those exiting the ballroom include Karen, Gorka Márquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas, marking one of the biggest cast shake-ups in recent years.

Michelle also sensationally quit the Strictly Professionals live tour ahead of it starting in April. 

Except for Karen, none of the other dancers leaving the show have yet to speak on the news.  

Following the news, dancer Aljaž Skorjanec shared his thoughts on the changes for the first time and spoke about what the shake-up could mean for his own role.

Strictly Come Dancing and It Takes Two are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.