It Takes Two Companion Show Reportedly Set for Vodcast Format Change Amid Host Speculation

Apr 24, 2026, 09:41

Introduction

The BBC''s Strictly Come Dancing companion programme, It Takes Two, is reportedly undergoing a format transformation to become a vodcast, with speculation regarding changes to its presenting lineup.

Main Body

According to a source cited by The Sun, the show is poised to adopt a vodcast model, whereby episodes would be filmed for television viewers and simultaneously recorded for podcast listeners. This shift is intended to reflect evolving audience consumption habits, following the success of similar companion programmes such as The Traitors: Uncloaked and The Apprentice: You’re Fired. The source claimed that the change could attract millions of additional viewers and listeners, describing it as a ''shrewd move'' despite being a departure from the current format. Current hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East have been rumoured to be leaving the programme. However, the BBC has explicitly denied these claims, stating last month that it is ''factually incorrect to claim that either has been axed.'' The Independent has contacted the BBC for further comment. It Takes Two launched in 2004 alongside the second series of Strictly Come Dancing, initially hosted by Claudia Winkleman. Subsequent hosts included Zoe Ball (until 2021) and Rylan Clark (until 2023). Manrara took over from Ball, and East replaced Clark. Separately, Ball and Clark are reportedly in contention to replace Winkleman and Tess Daly on the main Strictly series following the hosts'' departures in December. Ball has teased an upcoming ''glamorous'' project but declined to provide details, while her father, Johnny Ball, indicated that she is being considered for the role. Ball herself stated in January that she would ''love'' to host the main show but had not spoken to its producers.

Conclusion

At present, the BBC has not confirmed any changes to It Takes Two''s format or presenters, while speculation continues regarding the main show''s hosting future.

Vocabulary Learning

axed
To dismiss or terminate (someone) from employment; to cancel (a project) abruptly解僱；突然取消
Example:The BBC has explicitly denied these claims, stating last month that it is 'factually incorrect to claim that either has been axed.'
in contention
Competing for a position or award; being actively considered競爭中；被考慮中
Example:Ball and Clark are reportedly in contention to replace Winkleman and Tess Daly on the main Strictly series.
poised
Ready and prepared to do something; in a position to take action準備就緒；處於可做某事的狀態
Example:According to a source cited by The Sun, the show is poised to adopt a vodcast model.
shrewd
Having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute and perceptive精明；敏銳；有敏銳判斷力的
Example:The source described it as a 'shrewd move' despite being a departure from the current format.
vodcast
A video podcast; a programme produced for both television broadcast and podcast distribution視頻播客；同時為電視廣播和播客分發製作的節目
Example:The show is poised to adopt a vodcast model, whereby episodes would be filmed for television viewers and simultaneously recorded for podcast listeners.

Sentence Learning

According to a source cited by The Sun, the show is poised to adopt a vodcast model, whereby episodes would be filmed for television viewers and simultaneously recorded for podcast listeners.
The sentence begins with a prepositional phrase 'According to a source cited by The Sun', where 'cited' is a reduced relative clause (that was cited). The main clause is 'the show is poised to adopt a vodcast model', using the passive construction 'is poised' followed by an infinitive. A non-restrictive relative clause introduced by 'whereby' (meaning 'by which') provides additional information about the model, containing a passive verb phrase 'would be filmed... and simultaneously recorded'. This structure demonstrates formal register and complex subordination.句子以介詞短語 'According to a source cited by The Sun' 開首，其中 'cited' 是縮減關係從句（that was cited）。主句是 'the show is poised to adopt a vodcast model'，使用被動結構 'is poised' 後接不定式。由 'whereby'（意即 'by which'）引導的非限制性關係從句提供關於該模式的額外信息，包含被動動詞短語 'would be filmed... and simultaneously recorded'。此結構展現正式語域及複雜從屬關係。
This shift is intended to reflect evolving audience consumption habits, following the success of similar companion programmes such as The Traitors: Uncloaked and The Apprentice: You’re Fired.
The main clause is 'This shift is intended to reflect evolving audience consumption habits', using passive voice 'is intended' and an infinitive phrase 'to reflect...'. The present participle phrase 'following the success...' functions as an adverbial of reason, modifying the main clause. The phrase 'such as...' provides examples. This sentence exhibits high lexical density with nominal groups like 'evolving audience consumption habits' and a participial adjunct.主句是 'This shift is intended to reflect evolving audience consumption habits'，使用被動語態 'is intended' 及不定式短語 'to reflect...'。現在分詞短語 'following the success...' 充當原因狀語，修飾主句。短語 'such as...' 提供例子。此句展現高詞彙密度，如名詞組 'evolving audience consumption habits' 及分詞附加語。
The source claimed that the change could attract millions of additional viewers and listeners, describing it as a ''shrewd move'' despite being a departure from the current format.
The main clause is 'The source claimed that...' with a noun clause object 'that the change could attract...'. The present participle phrase 'describing it as...' provides additional information about the source's action, functioning as a non-finite adverbial clause. The prepositional phrase 'despite being a departure...' contains a gerund 'being' and shows concession. This sentence combines a reported statement with a participial adjunct and a concessive structure.主句是 'The source claimed that...'，帶有名詞從句賓語 'that the change could attract...'。現在分詞短語 'describing it as...' 提供關於消息來源動作的額外信息，充當非限定狀語從句。介詞短語 'despite being a departure...' 包含動名詞 'being'，表示讓步。此句結合了轉述陳述、分詞附加語及讓步結構。
However, the BBC has explicitly denied these claims, stating last month that it is ''factually incorrect to claim that either has been axed.''
The sentence starts with the conjunctive adverb 'However'. The main clause is 'the BBC has explicitly denied these claims', using present perfect tense. The present participle phrase 'stating last month that...' acts as an adverbial of manner, containing a noun clause 'that it is factually incorrect to claim that either has been axed'. Within this, there is an embedded noun clause 'that either has been axed' as the object of 'to claim'. This nested structure demonstrates complex subordination and formal reporting.句子以連接副詞 'However' 開首。主句是 'the BBC has explicitly denied these claims'，使用現在完成時。現在分詞短語 'stating last month that...' 充當方式狀語，包含名詞從句 'that it is factually incorrect to claim that either has been axed'。其中再嵌入名詞從句 'that either has been axed' 作為 'to claim' 的賓語。此嵌套結構展現複雜從屬關係及正式轉述。
Ball has teased an upcoming ''glamorous'' project but declined to provide details, while her father, Johnny Ball, indicated that she is being considered for the role.
This is a compound-complex sentence. The first independent clause is 'Ball has teased an upcoming ''glamorous'' project but declined to provide details', with a coordinated verb phrase 'has teased... but declined'. The second independent clause is introduced by 'while' (meaning 'whereas'), which is a subordinating conjunction indicating contrast: 'while her father, Johnny Ball, indicated that she is being considered for the role'. Within this, 'Johnny Ball' is an appositive, and 'indicated that...' contains a noun clause 'that she is being considered...' using passive progressive. The sentence shows coordination, subordination, apposition, and reported speech.這是一個並列複合句。第一個獨立從句是 'Ball has teased an upcoming ''glamorous'' project but declined to provide details'，帶有並列動詞短語 'has teased... but declined'。第二個獨立從句由 'while'（意即 'whereas'）引導，表示對比：'while her father, Johnny Ball, indicated that she is being considered for the role'。其中 'Johnny Ball' 是同位語，'indicated that...' 包含名詞從句 'that she is being considered...'，使用被動進行時。此句展現了並列、從屬、同位語及轉述結構。