Rylan Clark steps down from Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It Takes Two

Rylan Clark will be part of the BBC Eurovision commentary team

Rylan Clark has announced he is stepping down as co-host of Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show It Takes Two after "four fantastic years".

The TV personality tweeted that the time had come for him to "pass on the baton to someone else and explore what else life has for me".

Clark has co-hosted the BBC Two show since 2019, first alongside Zoe Ball and then dancer Janette Manrara.

The BBC said the 34-year-old would be "hugely missed".

Clark said: "I've had the best time hosting the show alongside Janette and Zoe and I can't thank the amazing team enough for always putting on a great show."

Reacting to the news on Instagram, Strictly presenter Claudia Winkleman replied: "We love you. And we'll miss you so so much."

"We love you so much!" added co-host Tess Daly.

Strictly dance professional Johannes Radebe offered: "All my love to you."

Fellow broadcaster Eamonn Holmes, meanwhile, cheekily suggested: "Bet you are becoming a contestant!"

'Stand out sass'

Kate Phillips, director of BBC Unscripted thanked the outgoing host "for entertaining audiences so brilliantly for the past four years".

She said: "Rylan's infectious personality, his stand out sass and his genuine love for all the glitz and glamour of the ballroom, has been a big part of It Takes Two's continued success.

"Rylan will always be part of the Strictly family of course, but I know he'll be hugely missed by all the Strictly It Takes Two viewers, Janette and everyone else who works on the show."

Executive producer Eve Winstanley said the team would miss his "boundless energy and love for entertaining viewers".

The new series of Strictly is expected to start in September. Clark's replacement will be announced in due course, the BBC said.

Clark alongside Zoe Ball in their Strictly attire

Clark found fame on The X Factor in 2012 and went on to win Celebrity Big Brother the following year, before being chosen to present another spin-off, Big Brother's Bit On The Side.

He has also hosted revivals of Supermarket Sweep and Ready Steady Cook, and appears alongside his mother on the celebrity edition of Gogglebox.

Alongside Scott Mills, he will commentate on the semi-finals at next month's Eurovision Song Contest.

After that, he will front a Channel 4 documentary series looking into sex and relationships.