Strictly Come Dancing’s La Voix leaves Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard floored with blistering attack on This Morning’s presenter line-up – comparing them to ‘work experience’ hires

Strictly Come Dancing star La Voix left This Morning’s Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard stunned as she made a blistering jibe towards the ITV show’s presenter line-up.

The RuPaul‘s Drag Race UK star, who was runner up on the 2024 series of the BBC Three show, was joined by Vicky Pattison and George Clarke to open up on training for the upcoming Strictly UK-wide tour.

After opening up on the intensive training regime, talked soon turned to how La Voix, the stage name of drag performer Christopher Dennis, has been holding out hope to take over from former Strictly hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.

The TV star was quick to ask This Morning’s Cat, 49, if she was keen to team up for the role, and in the process made a major swipe at the ITV show’s line-up.

Cat and Ben, 51, took over the hosting duties on the daytime show from Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, following Holly’s departure in 2023, months after Phillip, 63, left after he admitted to having an affair with a younger colleague.

The duo present the show from Monday to Thursday, while familiar ITV faces Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond are at the helm on Fridays.

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Strictly Come Dancing star La Voix left This Morning’s Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard stunned as she made a blistering jibe towards the ITV show’s presenter line-up

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The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star, who was runner up on the 2024 series of the BBC Three show, was joined by Vicky Pattison and George Clarke to open up on training for the upcoming Strictly UK-wide tour

During the school holidays, and over Christmas, presenters Josie Gibson, Rylan Clark, Craig Doyle, Emma Willis, Christine Lampard and Rochelle Humes have all featured on screen to take on the duty.

La Voix said: ‘There’s two openings, don’t forget the second one, there’s two jobs going – and I would [take either], and that’s why I’m keeping in with Shirley [Ballas].’

‘I think she might be quite influential with the choice of voting, so I’ve actually got you a gift, Cat, it’s Shirley Ballas’ book,’ she added, hinting towards wanting to co-star with Cat. ‘I’ve also signed it for you, so it’s worth a lot more money now.’

Opening the book, it was revealed that La Voix had signed the autobiography, but not addressed the message inside to Cat, with the presenter adding: ‘I love that you’ve not actually made it out to me.’

To which La Voix swiped: ‘Well, let’s face it, on this show it’s a different presenter every week, you never know who it’s going to be!’

‘It’s like pot luck, it’s like work experience on this show,’ she added, leaving Ben and Cat shocked and in giggles, as Vicky, 38, and George, 26, cringing.

Last November, La Voix was revealed as the first to be confirmed for the show’s live tour, alongside Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

Their professional partners Karen Hauer and Aljaž Škorjanec have also been confirmed to be part of the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour.

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Cat and Ben, 51, took over the hosting duties on the daytime show from Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield

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Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond present the shows on Fridays

The show will kick off in January, with the dancers and their celebrity partners hitting the road from Birmingham to Manchester, Sheffield to Liverpool, Glasgow to Nottingham, Manchester to Sheffield and London’s 02.

They will be joined by the Strictly Judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood, and It Takes Two host Janette Manrara.

La Voix said: ‘I loved being part of Strictly and was devastated when my time on the show was cut short because of injury.

‘But now I’m absolutely thrilled to have the chance to get back on an even bigger dancefloor with the sparkling 2026 Strictly Live Tour.

‘I can’t wait to sashay my way around the country with my wonderful partner, Aljaž by my side.’

It’s yet another big announcement for La Voix, after the drag performer was confirmed as part of the UK tour of the Annie musical, playing Miss Hannigan.

It comes just days after La Voix was forced to withdraw from the BBC dance competition after suffering a shock injury that saw the star miss out on performing in Blackpool.

The performer fought back tears as she said goodbye to Strictly, after having to withdraw from the competition due to injury during the show.

La Voix was advised on medical grounds she could no longer take part on Strictly after injuring her foot earlier in the week in rehearsals.

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During the school holidays, and over Christmas, the likes of fellow TV presenters Josie Gibson and Rylan Clark often step in

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It comes just days after La Voix was forced to withdraw from the BBC dance competition after suffering a shock injury that saw the star miss out on performing in Blackpool

Calling it the most ‘extraordinary experience’, the TV personality said: ‘I came into the show as a minority, as a redhead and you’ve all embraced me wonderfully.

‘I cannot thank you enough… this is not how I wanted my journey to end,’ before joking: ‘At least it gives someone else in this competition a chance to win.’

Reflecting on their partnership, Aljaz, 35, said: ‘I’ve been lucky this year. I’ve made two friends for life. On Saturdays/ Sundays we all laugh with La Voix and from Monday to Friday I had the best time with Chris.

‘I haven’t done a single crunch in the past six months but I’ve got my six pack back, it’s amazing.

‘Like Motsi said, “We all need it”. The world needs more of you. Strictly needed it, you made my life a joy.. You are so beautiful in what you do.’

La Voix told Aljaz she is going to leave Strictly ‘a braver, happier and such a more confident person’.

Taking to Instagram minutes after the announcement of her exit was made, La Voix shared a statement.

She wrote: ‘I’m absolutely devastated to be withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing. This isn’t the glittering exit I ever imagined, and it breaks my heart to feel like I’ve let people down.

‘My spirit wanted to keep dancing but my foot had other ideas! Thank you for every cheer, every vote and every sparkle of support – it’s meant the world to me. This isn’t the ending I imagined but I’ll cherish this forever.’