Rylan, who found fame in 2012 on The X Factor – once a huge rival to Strictly – has been shortlisted, but still faces screen tests in a fortnight so producers can assess his chemistry with any possible co-stars.
Strictly sources say bosses want a fresh line-up with strong connections to the show.
One told the Daily Mail: ‘Rylan has a long-standing association with the show, and Angela has been a contestant.
‘But the main thing is they’d be a totally new pairing – no baggage, no former shows, uniquely Strictly.
‘On top of that, they want to be sure that an all-female presenting line-up isn’t replaced by an old-fashioned male-female duo where the man takes on a dominant role.
‘Rylan isn’t like that at all. Plus, he absolutely loves the show and the viewers already love him.’
Insiders say he would ‘bite the BBC’s hand off’ for the job.
One added: ‘For Rylan it is his dream job. He loved It Takes Two and the viewers loved him. It would be a no-brainer.
‘He has so many loyal fans. If he gets the job they will most certainly tune in to Strictly. He will be a ratings winner and the BBC know it.’
Rylan is said to be ‘very keen’ to be paired with One Show host Angela, who took part in the series in 2023, and bosses believe they ‘tick every box’.
As well as fronting It Takes Two between 2019 and 2023, he hosted his own Rylan On Saturday show on Radio 2, has presented on ITV’s This Morning and anchored Eurovision coverage for the BBC.
Other names in the frame are One Show host Alex Jones, Zoe Ball and Bradley Walsh, presenter of The Chase.
Tess and Claudia announced last October that they were leaving Strictly after hosting it together for 14 years.