Strictly Come Dancing hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly have announced they are leaving the BBC dance programme.
In a joint statement shared on Instagram on Thursday, the co-hosts said they would be leaving the show together.
Their last appearance together will be on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, which airs on December 25.
The announcement has shocked fans and left experts pondering if Claudia and Tess’ joint departure at the end of series 23 is a sign they are fleeing a ‘sinking ship’.
Follow live updates and reaction below
Strictly dancer Ian Waite suggests Tess and Claudia knew show needed ‘new blood’
Former Strictly dancer Ian Waite has suggested Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman knew the show needed ‘new blood’ moving forwards.
Waite, who partnered Denise Lewis, Jodie Kidd and Zoe Ball during his stint on the ballroom, said it was known for years the series needed ‘shaking up’.
He gave his reaction to Vanessa Feltz on Channel 5 earlier today:
Former Strictly winner tipped to take over as host
An online gambling website has tipped ex-Strictly winner Stacey Dooley and her partner Kevin Clifton to replace Claudia Winkelman and Tess Daly as the show’s new hosts.
According to Spin Genie, the 2018 champions have been priced at 2/1 to front the series from next year with Rylan Clark and GK Barry also considered frontrunners at 7/4.
Other presenters tipped as contenders include Alex Jones and Gethin Jones, Fleur East, Janette Manrara, Karen Hauer and Roman Kemp
‘Woke’ Strictly needs new presenters and judges – how Mail readers reacted
Dozens of Mail readers have responded to our live coverage to give their views on the announcement by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly that they are leaving Strictly Come Dancing.
Here’s what you’ve had to say:
J Mitchell
It’s a shame but things change and life goes on. Whoever takes over will have to be thick skinned as the nasty comments will soon begin.
Ghislaine19
Well timed. The show is struggling to find celebrities and better to go when still at the top of your game.
People that can actually dance might be a better mix, please none of the Reality TV lot that would be the end of the show.
Cocos Mummy
Used to watch it for the dancing and dresses, then the dresses went and so did the dancing. It’s now more about popularity rather than progression.
ShakerGroupSnout
Awful pair. Time for a new Strictly – new presenter and new judges. The whole thing is tired and woke now.
Annie Scott
For both of them to quit indicates that there is something wrong with the programme. The BBC just aren’t in ‘receive’ when the viewers point out the problems. The judges can no longer give a proper critique, in case they upset someone, the celebrities aren’t celebrities at all, the costumes, dances and music are all wrong and you can hardly see the dancers for the overpowering lighting effects. The constant screaming in the audience and the over-reaction of some of the judges make it unbearable and far from the cosy, family entertainment that made it the huge hit that it once was.
Ann Widdecombe suggests Strictly format could change
Ex-Strictly contestant Ann Widdecombe has suggested the show’s format could change following the exits of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
The former Conservative MP insisted the ‘show can go on’ after the longstanding presenters announced they are leaving the ballroom later this year.
Speaking to Radio 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell, Widdecombe says it is, ‘very tempting to think that when favourites disappear, the show is going to be completely different… and so it will probably be an impetus to change the format slightly now’.
The 78-year-old, who entered the ballroom in 2010, added she was ‘tired’ of scandals engulfing the show and no longer watches it.
When will they make their last Strictly appearance?
Tess and Claudia will make their final Strictly Come Dancing appearance on this year’s Christmas special.
Their exits mark the end of an era for Strictly and BBC chiefs says that the pair have been ‘integral’ to the success of the Latin and Ballroom competition over the past two decades.
The corporation states that plans for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing will be confirmed in due course’.
The BBC break their silence on the exit
The BBC’s chief content officer Kate Phillips said: ‘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.’
Managing director of entertainment Suzy Lamb echoed: ‘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.’
They captioned the post: ‘Tess and Claudia, you’ll always be our favourite couple ❤️ Thank you for being our incredible hosts. All our love, your #Strictly family.’
A look back at a rocky few years for Strictly…
The departure of the Saturday night stalwarts adds to a growing list of concerning issues surrounding Strictly – including an dwindling calibre of stars, a sex scandal, drug investigation, accusations of abuse and loose-lipped pros.
Among the headline-hitting controversies was the investigation into the behaviour of Wynne Evans, after he was caught on camera making a sexual comment about ‘spit roasts’ to long-standing pro Janette Manrara.
Elsewhere, Zara McDermott detailed her distressing experience of ‘abuse’ from pro Graziano Di Prima, Giovanni Pernice has been plagued with bullying allegations and an increasing number of dancers have broken ranks to speak against the show.
A ratings war with Claudia’s other TV mega-hit The Traitors is another hint at the future of the show, while experts have predicted the duo’s joint departure could be due to the impact being on a sinking ship could mean for their careers.
Read more about Tess and Claudia’s exit pact
The two have grown very close over the 11 years of presenting side by side, and promised each other that they would quit together.
Claudia previously told The Mirror: ‘Tess and I will leave at the same time. We’ve made that pact over pizza.
‘We’ll go together, whenever they’re done with us.’
Who will replace Tess and Claudia as hosts on Strictly?
Read more here:
Read more here: Did Tess hint at her exit?
Will the show survive without Tess and Claudia?
Check out The Daily Mail’s poll of the day
Judge Motsi Mabuse says she is ‘speechless’ by the news
Posting on her Instagram Story after the news broke she said she was ‘speechless’ and that the news was the ‘end of an era’.
Life before Strictly: The career histories of Tess and Claudia
Winkleman began her career as a TV and radio presenter fronting a range of BBC TV shows including Comic Relief and The Great British Sewing Bee.
She went on to present a range of programmes on BBC Radio 2 until 2024, including the comedy quiz series Hot Gossip, the Claudia Winkleman Arts Show and Claudia On Sunday.
The Bafta-winning broadcaster also presents the hit BBC game show The Traitors, and its spin-off series, The Celebrity Traitors, and won best entertainment performance at the 2023 awards.
Daly first appeared on TV in 1999 as the host of The Big Breakfast’s Find Me A Model competition on Channel 4.
She went on to present a range of shows and awards including ITV’s makeover show Home On Their Own, replacing Ulrika Jonsson in 2003, co-hosted Channel 5’s Back To Reality with Richard Bacon and presented the annual charity appeal show BBC Children In Need numerous time
More celebrities react to the news
Television presenter, Helen Skelton, who appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 said whoever steps in to replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly has ‘big shoes to fill.’
‘You look at Tess’s eyes when you finish a dance. On behalf of everyone who’s been on that dance floor, you look at Tess for reassurance – and Claudia for a laugh,’ she told BBC 5 Live.
‘It’s a real shame. They’ve served that show so well. It’s going to leave a massive hole. I can’t for one second think that was an easy decision. It’s become their identity.
‘Tess has done the show for 21 years; it’s been her whole life. So, I think people will be sad when they go.
‘Whoever steps into it next has big shoes to fill.’
Watch their exit announcement video HERE:
The pair are pictured on their last show before the announcement
Last Saturday they hosted the show as usual – both wearing matching white outfits.
It marked the final show before they made the announcement that they would leave.
‘These ladies will be missed’: Strictly pros and celebs react to shock exit
Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell said ‘these ladies will be missed,’ as she reposted Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly’s Instagram video announcement.
Former contestant and DJ Clara Amfo said:
This is quite surreal. Salute to you both, shouldn’t be radical for two women to present prime time TV together, you two do it with such genuine joy towards each other. Big respect!
Former It Takes Two presenter Rylan Clark said:
Adore you both the world. The biggest pleasure working with you both. Pair of icons xxx.
Former Strictly professional Oti Mabuse said:
Wow! How devastating. You two have been incredible to work with – thank you so much for all the beautiful memories, for representing females presenters, being iconic, the laughs and years of family you’ve given all us. From the beginning you were the highlight of our weekends! Wish you both luck – I will miss you so much!!!
Fans of the show are devastated by the news
Heartbroken viewers have been sharing their reactions to the shock news on X.
BBC bosses feared Claudia’s exit, reports claimed
Earlier this year it was alleged that BBC bosses had been scrambling to keep Claudia after fears arose that she would quit the series.
Sources told Closer magazine that bosses had been left ‘anxious’ about the programme’s future, adding: ‘Bosses are anxious that the lack of big-name celebrities could dampen ratings and, behind the scenes, they’ve been leaning on Claudia to help steady the ship.
‘She’s the face the public trusts. She’s hugely popular, and they know she’s the safest pair of hands they’ve got. But the truth is, she’s under enormous pressure and fears are growing that it could all lead to her quitting the show.’
The source added that while Claudia ‘adores’ working on Strictly, she feels ‘stretched’ and ‘wonders if something has to give’ in her career.
‘Strictly has been an absolute dream’: How Tess and Claudia announced exit
The hosts, who have been presenting the BBC One dancing competition together since 2014, took to Instagram to break the news to fans on Thursday.
Claudia, 53, and Tess, 56, who first joined the series back in 2004, were seen sitting side by side in the clip that confirmed their departure.
Speaking to the camera, Claudia began: ‘There have been some rumblings and we want you to hear this from us.’
Tess chimed in: ‘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 laughed, before turning to her co-star and pal to add: ‘You’ve been here since the beginning.’
Tess replied, pointing to Claudia: ‘With Bruce, lovely Bruce [Forsyth], and that was over two decades ago but a lot of the time has been with you.
‘It’s been a huge part of our lives since our children were literally babes in arms, and now they’re adults, and I think genuinely we have cherished every second.’
Claudia continued: ‘We have, we’re so lucky to have been part of this amazing show and we just want to thank the Strictly team, because Strictly is the people who make it.’
The duo penned under the video:
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.
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly QUIT Strictly Come Dancing
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage as Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announce they will quit the series later this year.
Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates and reaction on this breaking news story.
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