In the latest episode of the Daily Mail's Tales From The Celebrity Trenches podcast, host Jamie East and comedian Alice Brine discuss recent showbusiness developments. The pair recount a disruptive 1996 recording session involving Robbie Williams and weigh in on the search for a new Strictly Come Dancing host.

The 1996 Maison Rouge studio takeover

Jamie East, the former owner of the Holy Moly gossip website, recounted a specific encounter with Robbie Williams during the singer's rise to fame. According to the podcast, the encounter took place at the Maison Rouge studio in Fulham in 1996 while Williams was recording his debut album, Life Through A Lens.

The recording environment reportedly shifted from professional to chaotic when Williams's then-partner, actress Anna Friel, left the room. East recalled that within seconds, Williams exited through a back door to bring in a "bevvy of beauties" and large quantities of beer, effectively derailing the session. Alice Brine joked that the scene felt like something "out of Mad Men." Despite the disruption, the period proved to be a massive creative success, as it coincided with the creation of Williams's iconic hits "Angels" and "Let Me Entertain You."

Tess Daly’s 21-year tenure and the 2025 exit

The discussion also addressed the looming leadership change at the BBC’s flagship dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing. After 21 years as a mainstay of the program, 57-year-old Tess Daly announced alongside co-host Claudia Winkleman that she will step down following the conclusion of the 2025 series.

This departure marks the end of an era for the nation's favorite celebrity dance competition.. As the production moves toward the 2026 season , the search for a successor has become a central topic of conversation within the entertainment industry, with the BBC looking to maintain the show's massive viewership and family-friendly appeal.

Angela Scanlon’s bid for the Strictly spotlight

While several high-profile presenters have been linked to the vacancy, Jamie East proposed a "dark horse" candidate during the podcast. Although names like Rylan Clark, Holly Willoughby, Alan Carr, and Zoe Ball have been frequently mentioned in rumors, East suggested that 41-year-old Irish presenter Angela Scanlon is the most logical choice.

As reported in the Tales From The Celebrity Trenches episode, East's reasoning is rooted in Scanlon's existing connection to the franchise. Having competed as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 and being a prominent face on BBC’s The One Show, Scanlon possesses the familiarity and "authority" that the BBC typically seeks in its major presenters.

The missing details in the BBC's search

Despite the mounting speculation regarding potential hosts, several critical pieces of the puzzle remain unverified. It is currently unknown whether the BBC intends to stick to a single host or if they will explore a new duo-hosting format to replace the Daly-Winkleman era. Furthermore, while East's suggestion of Angela Scanlon provides a specific direction, the BBC has not officially confirmed any shortlist or preferred candidates for the 2026 season .