Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are stepping away from Strictly Come Dancing in an attempt to “go out at the top” and before any further controversies surrounding the programme emerge. In a move that left viewers stunned, the duo released a video announcing their departure when the present series ends, with their final appearance together scheduled for Christmas Day.
Sources close to the presenting partnership, who had always agreed to depart simultaneously, revealed they had informed senior programme bosses of their intentions several weeks prior, though their social media announcement caught many within the Strictly production team by surprise. Industry insiders disclosed privately that Tess and Claudia had been contemplating their exit for approximately twelve months.
A television source explained: “The feeling is Tess and Claudia wanted to go out at the top and whilst the show is still huge and shortly after they received MBEs. Announcing it mid series also gives them a bit of a swansong and doesn’t take the spotlight away from the winner.
“Claudia is right at her career peak with The Traitors and other TV offers flooding in. Tess has been hosting the show for more than two decades and like that idea of more weekends with her family and her friends.
“The recent scandals around the show have also impacted the ratings a little bit and there might be more around the corner, so they weighed it up and feel it is the right time to quit.”
Another source close to the presenting pair revealed: “They always said they would go together when they felt right and it just feels right this year.”
View 4 Images The duo shared a joint video making the announcement(Image: Tess Daly Instagram)
In their joint statement, they expressed: “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.
“We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day.
“We will cry when we say the last ‘keep dancing’ but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.”
Subsequently, in a separate statement, Winkleman reflected: “It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career.
“I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights. As for Tess – I’m so so lucky I got to stand next to you. You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.”
View 4 Images Tess has been a part of the show since it first aired in 2004 and presented with Bruce Forsyth(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Tess became part of the programme from its start in 2004, initially presenting alongside the late Bruce Forsyth, who remained as host until his departure in 2014. Claudia also became part of the Strictly family in 2004, when she started hosting its companion programme It Takes Two.
She subsequently co-hosted the Sunday evening results show with Daly from 2010 before the duo took over presenting duties for the main show a decade ago.
Judge Motsi Mabuse commented: “Going to miss you so much!”, responding to Claudia’s announcement. “You’re an icon and inspiration. Still in shock, but wishing you love and best wishes.”
The BBC has confirmed in an official statement that replacement presenters will be revealed “in due course”.
Potential candidates being discussed include Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Alan Carr, Alison Hammond, Holly Willoughby and Anton Du Beke.
Responding to the announcement, former It Takes Two presenter and 2005 participant Zoe Ball commented: “Absolute class act. Bravo ladies. Huge love.”
Television personality Rylan Clark – who previously hosted It Takes Two – described having the “biggest pleasure” working alongside the “pair of icons”.
The broadcaster has also announced that Tess and Claudia will depart Strictly Come Dancing when the current series concludes, with their final joint appearance scheduled for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, broadcasting on Christmas Day via BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Kate Phillips, Chief Content Officer for the BBC, expressed her disbelief: “I can’t quite believe I’m saying this, but it’s the end of an era with Tess and Claudia’s decision to bid farewell to the Strictly ballroom. They’ve both been such incredible hosts at the very heart of the show, their passion and dedication has gone above and beyond.
“They’ve been integral to Strictly’s success over the last 20 years, but I understand why they’ve decided it’s time to hang up the glitter ball and get their weekends back. As Craig would say they are fab-u-lous presenters, and they are fab-u-lous friends to me and so many others at the BBC. Thank you Tess and Claud for everything, we will miss you hugely.”
The news reportedly took other backstage cast and crew by surprise.
Suzy Lamb, Managing Director, Entertainment, BBC Studios, spoke on behalf of the entire production team: “On behalf of the entire production team at Strictly, we are so going to miss Tess and Claudia.
“Tess brought elegance, poise, and a genuine love for the show that never waned from the very start. And with Claudia’s charm and razor-sharp wit joining us from It Takes Two in 2014 – it cemented a partnership that has kept our audience captivated ever since. Tess and Claudia are much more than presenters to us – they are part of the Strictly production family – and whilst we’ll miss them dearly, we wish them nothing but the best.”
View 4 Images Many Strictly stars were surprised by the pair’s exit(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Sarah James, Executive Producer of Strictly Come Dancing, expressed: “Tess and Claudia are quite simply the best duo of presenters in the business and we are so lucky to have had them as our Strictly anchors for so many years.
“They have championed countless celebrities on the dancefloor, led us all through two series during the pandemic but more importantly they have a deep and genuine bond with the show and every single member of the team.
“The Strictly Family is often referred to and these women are the matriarchs of that family. We have been together and supported each other for a long time – through pregnancies, births and deaths and to say we will all miss them terribly is an understatement. Tess, Claudia, THANK YOU for everything, it’s not over yet – let’s enjoy the rest of this fabulous series together. I would say Keep Dancing, but you never actually started!”.