This Morning regular Gyles Brandreth has sparked controversy by declaring that Strictly Come Dancing has “had its day” and should be taken off air for years following the shock exit of long-time hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
The 77-year-old broadcaster didn’t mince his words during Friday’s episode of the ITV show, suggesting the BBC “pull the plug” on the 21-year-old format to allow it to rest – or return completely refreshed to shake off its outdated image.
Joined by hosts Dermot O’Leary, 52, and Josie Gibson, 40, alongside Ashley James, 38, Gyles reacted to the hosts’ departure by proposing a radical solution.
“Can I be very controversial?” he asked his co-stars. “Is it worth even thinking that after 21 years, and this amazing cast, maybe, take a break and have no Strictly for a few years? I’m just throwing that in… It’s an idea.”
When Dermot insisted the juggernaut show was “too successful” to pause, Gyles doubled down: “That won’t happen? Okay. If we are going to go on with it, I think we should do something totally fresh!”
He even floated football legends Wayne Rooney and Chloe Kelly as potential new hosts to inject fresh energy into the programme.
The debate was ignited earlier this week when Claudia, 53, and Tess, 56, announced their joint departure in a heartfelt video shared on social media.
“There have been some rumblings and we want you to hear this from us,” Claudia began, with Tess adding: “We have news. After 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton.”
“The very sparkly baton!” Claudia quipped, reflecting on their two-decade partnership that began with Tess alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth.
‘It’s been a huge part of our lives since our children were literally babes in arms, and now they’re adults,’ Tess explained. ‘We have cherished every second.’
The duo lavished praise on the “brilliant team” behind the scenes, writing in the caption: “We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.”
Tess’ individual statement was equally poignant: “Strictly has been more than just a television programme, it’s felt like having a third child, a second family… Thank you for the laughter, the friendship, the countless memories.”
She promised it wasn’t goodbye to “glitter, sequins or Saturday night sparkle,” but admitted: “It does feel like the right time to hand over the reins.”
With the current series ongoing, Claudia and Tess will bow out after its conclusion, leaving the BBC facing a mammoth task to replace the iconic pairing.
Gyles’ intervention taps into growing murmurs that the show – plagued by recent scandals and format tweaks – may need more than new faces to survive.
As speculation swirls over successors, the broadcaster’s plea for a “total revamp” has reignited calls for Strictly to evolve or risk fading into irrelevance.