Dixon to stand in for Daly on 'Strictly'?

BBC bosses have reportedly asked Alesha Dixon to stand in for Tess Daly on the forthcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Daly and her TV presenter husband Vernon Kay are expecting their second child in June and the corporation wants the singer to co-present in her absence alongside Bruce Forsyth.

According to the Sunday Mirror, show chiefs also hope the former show winner will help claw back teenage viewers after their defection to ITV's The X Factor following the recruitment of Cheryl Cole.

A source said Dixon was seen as part of the Strictly family, adding: "Bosses hope that she will help give the show a bit of a shake-up alongside Bruce Forsyth.

"They have been keen for her to have a role on the show for some time but so far have struggled to find an opportunity to bring her in. But Tess's pregnancy is the perfect opening."