As Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bid adieu to Strictly Come Dancing in a shock move, what really prompted the exit?
Daly, 56, has been on the BBC reality series for 21 years since the show started in 2004, with the Winkleman joining her on the ballroom floor in 2011 – truly marking the end of an era.
The iconic hosting duo announced their departure earlier this week in the middle of the latest season to address the ‘rumblings’ happening along the grapevine that something big was coming to shake Strictly up.
‘After 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton,’ Daly said in the social media video, with The Traitors host adding: ‘The very sparkly baton.’
Meanwhile, in a statement, BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips admitted she ‘can’t quite believe I’m saying this’ as she reacted to the news.
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But what were the ‘real reasons’ the pair decided to go?
Why did Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly ‘really leave’ Strictly Come Dancing?
In a follow-up statement, Phillips simply told The Mirror that ‘they’ve decided it’s time to hang up the glitter ball and get their weekends back.’ Their last show is set to be on Christmas Day.
One insider has told the Daily Mail that with Winkleman’s career ‘moving up a level’, she is reportedly ready to explore opportunities outside of Strictly – even going as far as ITV.
According to sources, Daly decided to leave with Winkleman as the two had decided to move on together whenever it happened.
The insider said: ‘There’s been talk of some very interesting projects which [Winkleman] simply can’t commit to because of Strictly, as it takes up a third of the year, so she felt that to maximise her ambition, she had to leave Strictly.
‘Leaving the show has been on Tess’s mind for a few years but Claudia leaning towards leaving made it an easier decision.’
Before adding: ‘They always had a pact to leave together and they wanted to adhere to that. They come as a pair, when it comes to Strictly, so going out together made perfect sense.’
More generally, The Piano presenter’s busy schedule is said to have contributed to her choice to pull back from Strictly.
Who could replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly on Strictly Come Dancing?
The latest odds for who could step into their dance shoes are already rolling.
Who are the top names?
Roman Kemp: The 32-year-old One Show host has plenty of experience under his belt to take on this next challenge.
Fleur East: Following in Winkleman’s footsteps, TV and radio host Fleur East could very well make the leap from It Takes Two to the main show.
Janette Manrara: Once a pro on the show, this Strictly veteran could make the leap from dancer to host.
An insider told The Sun: ‘Claudia has had a lot on her plate, with Strictly, Traitors, and Channel 4’s The Piano.
‘She wanted to make sure she could also spend some time with her family and something had to give.
‘Celebrity Traitors has become a juggernaut in its own right too, with a second series teed up next year. Claudia is loving every step of this adventure – and it’s only going to get bigger and better.’
Indeed, after three civilian seasons and in the midst of the first celebrity version, the hit strategy show has proven it is only growing bigger.
Not only did it draw in a whopping 7.1 million viewers for episode five (outperforming Strictly’s 6.9m), but it has already been renewed for a second all-star spin-off and two more regular seasons, at least.
Elsewhere, a source told The Sun, however, that another reason that may have prompted the decision – which is understood to have been made last November – is due to rumours that the show’s boss, Sarah James, is also on her way out.
James has helmed a turbulent few years for the series as it faced a litany of troubles from misconduct and bullying accusations towards former pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima to accusations of drug use on the show.
The showrunner has yet to announce whether she will return for the 2026 season.
Their departure from the show has been felt far and wide, with judge Shirley Ballas sharing a touching message paying homage to their long-lasting presence on the show.
‘I have truly never met two more remarkable ladies. Their dedication, grace, humour and sheer hard work has helped make Strictly the magical show that it is. Their energy lifts the ballroom, and their friendship is truly beautiful,’ she wrote amid a wider tribute.
And some are already vying for the job, with Take That icon Robbie Williams taking to social media to joke: ‘Just got a rather fancy phone call about a very glittery dance floor job. Apparently, sequins and tuxedos might be in my future.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One this Saturday at 6:25pm.
Metro has reached out to Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s representatives for comment, as well as the BBC.
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