CHRIS Evans has backed Alfonso Ribeiro to replace Darcy Bussell as the new Strictly judge.
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air legend, 47, covered for Italian judge Bruno Tonioli last year and Chris recalled he was a huge hit with fans on his Virgin Radio Breakfast show today.
Chris speculated on his breakfast show today: "The guy who filled in last year, didn't he win it over in the States, who is that guy?
"He's gotta be in (the running) he's done the job. He filled in for Bruno Tonioli. I can't remember his name."
But the former BBC Radio 2 presenter said that 2005 Strictly winner Darren Gough was his "hot tip".
He also insisted that current Strictly pro Oti Mabuse, who danced with cricketer Graeme Swann last year and starred in The Greatest Dancer earlier this year, would be a "good bet".
Alfonso said last year that he would be a different type of judge to Bruno.
He said: "I'm going to speak from the heart, I'm not going to try to rhyme. There's not going to be a lot of arms flailing…
"Look, [Bruno] is Italian. I get it. He speaks with his hands!
"I'm a brother from America so I'm gonna be kinda chill."
Darcey stepped down after becoming embarrassed by the show’s ‘soap opera’ scandals and wanting £40,000 pay rise.
Sources say the ballet legend was sick of non-stop stories about romances between pro dancers and celebs such as the snogging scandal involving Seann Walsh and Katya Jones.
A show insider said: “Darcey felt she deserved to be on par with the rest of the judges, especially after the recent series scored such high ratings.
“She made it clear if her demands were not met, she’d walk. And despite the BBC’s best attempts to keep her, she remained true to her word.”
Darcey was also disgruntled at plans to make judges do more dancing in future because her background is ballet not ballroom.
And sources said she was annoyed by Bruno Tonioli’s theatrics, Craig Revel Horwood’s spats with fellow judges and the celebrity status of the pro dancers.
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